The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-02-20

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acreage in corn had not kept pace
with the increase in population since
1880, the increase in population hav-
ing been 1858 per cent and the in
crease in the acreage in corn only
1855, and hence the deficiency in the
amount required for home consump-
ton. The fact was also pointed out
that an addition of IA, 1854 acres to
the area in corn would have supplied
the deficiency between the amount
produced and the amount consumed
in the state, even at the low yield per
acre caused by the drouth. The pos
sibility of producing a surplus of corn
for expectation was also shown as fol-
lows:
"Had the increase of acreage de-
voted to the cultivation of corn kept
apace with the increase of the acreage
in cotton since 1880, the acreage in
corn in 1887 would have been $685.
1874 acres, and the production at the
same average per acre 70,S89, 143
bushels, or enough to have supplied
the home demand, as shown by the
amount actually consumed, and fur
nished a surplus of 12,743,553 bushels
for expectation"
The increase in the acreage in corn
in 1888 was 1906, or 294 ,93703 acres.
There was also an increase of 4.73
bushels in the average yield per acre,
due to more favorable season. TAX
ing the average annual consumption
of corn per capita (274 bushels) in the
United States as basis the figures
1888 stand as follows:
Total bushels corn produced in
the state. .................. 1906 312
Total bushels corn consumedin
the state. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 57,775,OOO
Surplus for expectation. ..... 1882, 312
Value at 8cents, average price,
per Dushe'. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. II, 4O2,9S6 OS
In view of the large surplus of corn
in 1888, it is reasonable to conclude
that the 2,06S, 059 bushels purchased
by farmers in the state were bought
within the state, though upon
this point complaint is made that
corn can be shipped into the state
from foreign markets to many points
cheaper than it can be gotten within
the state, owing to the difference in
freight rates. The demand for corn
within the state at points where, ow-
ing to meteorological conditions, a suffi-
cient supply can not be raised, is con-
siderable, and should be supplied by
sections producing a surplus. 1t
should be borne in mind that the
purchases reported were made by far
mers alone, no account being taken
OF the amount purchased by other
classes. The purchases by farmers
were in the main made By those who
were just opening farms and who had
not before grown crop in the state.
The practical question presenting
itself to the farmers of the state is
what to do with their surplus corn.
The average value of an acre of corn
in the United States in 1888 was
$685., and the average value per
bushel 34.1 cents. In this state the
average for the same year WIS $8.0S
per acre and 81 cents per bushel. 1t
does not, therefore, promise profitable
returns to those who raise it for mar
ket, even with ready market and fa-
vorable rates of transportation.
An answer to the question may pro-
badly be found in the following sug-
gestions in the report of the statisti-
clan of the National Bureau of Agri-
culture for 1888:
"a moderate price (for corn)
is a necessity for profitable production
of milk and meat and other products
into which maize enters as an ele-
ment. He who grows corn to sell and
not to convert into various extended
products of maize is at a comparative
disadvantage as prices rule at
present"
In view of the fact that $2,022,
206.40 worth of bacon and lard were
imported into the state during the
year the proper disposition of the
surplus corn crop ought to be easily
settled. Weevils are very destructive
to the crop after it is matured and
render a. very large percentage I'M
merchantable.
Of manufacturing industries he
gives the following:
Number of establishments. ..... 3,056
Total capital invested in. ..... $23, 175, 768
Value of material used .... 22,970,8
Value of manufactured product 40,32l ,026
Number men employed in ..... 20,150
Total amount of wages paid ... S,0O6,837