The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-16
Have We Reached the Limit of Wheat
Production?

| Production?
When the seventh census was taken IL
| 1850. 40 per cent. OF the wheat grown wat
produced In the States lying north OF the
Potomac and east Of tho Alleghanies; YET
| only ten years later these north Atlantic
States contributed but 10 per cent. and the
five Lake States. lying north Of the Ohio and
east Of the Mississippi. had taken first rank
contributing Al per cent. OF q product that
had increased by rs per cent
Rapid and radical as were the changes in
crop areas as population moved westward,
the Lake States contrived to retain the
primacy In wheat culture for another
twenty years although the proportion con-
tributed was reduced to "a per cent. In 1879
when the contribution OF the Missouri
Valley States was but one per cent. less.
In 1879 the contributions Of the north At
lantlc region had been reduced to less than
per cent although its acreage was q
trife greater than it had been In 1850,
when it had grown nearly half the wheat.
Since 1879. however. the acreage Of this
northeastern division has declined. not
only relatively. but absolutely. being now
some 100000 acres less than in 1885, with
the process Of converting wheatfields into
meadows. orchards. pastures. and oatfields
still continuing. This rapid reduction OF the
wheat-bearing area Is consequent upon an
increase OF urban population. rendering
necessary greater supplies OF such products
as must be consumed near the place OF pro-
duction. because Of their perishable or bulky
character.
Having advanced from the second place
to the first. the wheat area OF the Lake
States showed marvellous expansion be-
tween 1859 and 1879. the increase having boon
100 per cent. the maximum being reached
at u. 900 acres In 1879. since which time
the decline has been very great. as the area
now devoted to this staple is less than 8,O00,-
600 acres. Twenty-soven per cent. of the
wheatnelds OF Ohio. Michigan. Indiana,
Illinois. and Wisconsin have. within thir-
teen years. been diverted to the production
OF such crops as were essential to the sub
sistence and comfort OF the millions added
to the towns and villages Of the Lake basin.
The ten States south OF the Potomac and
Ohio and east Of the Mississippi included
81 per cent OF tho area In 1850. and yet con-
tributed but 20 per cent. OF the wheat
grown. the yield an acre being lower than
cent. of the wheat area. and contributed
81 per cent. OF the grain. During the war
period the Southern wheat area declined,
both relatively and absolutely. the acreage
from 100000 acres to 1888, 900,
or to less than Is per cent. OF the whole.
Following the restoration Of peace the area
expanded. within fifteen years, to 5.2g3. 900
acres. to be followed by great decline
during the ninth decade when more than
million acres were taken from Southern
and devoted to cotton grow
ing. This region now embraces less than
~ per cent. OF the nations wheat area. and
produces about per cent. Of the grain.
Louisiana, Arkansas. and Texas have new
err counted for much In wheat production,
In 1850 but $4,000 bushels;
less than one per cent. In 1869. and now hav-
Ing about 100000 acres employed In grow
Ing this grain. Even such comparatively
new agricultural communities as those of
Arkansas and Texas reduced their wheat
area in the ninth decade. and 1t is probable
that this reduction is still continued ex-
cept In northwestern Texas. which Is but
poorly adapted to cotton culture.
North OF Arkansas and the Indian Terri |
tory. in the States OF the Missouri Valley.
Is now found the granary OF the nation, ul- |
though forty-three years since. Missouri, |
Iowa. Minnesota. Nebraska. Kansas. and the |
Dakotas could only show less than 400, 900 |
acres under wheat. So rapid. however, has |
been the development, that tho area In these
States had increased to 1l.765,OOO acres In
1870 and to ls254.OO0 in 1889; and it now ex-
leeds 100000 900 acros, although nearly 2.OOO,-
400 acres less than In 1892.
The wheattields OF this group constitute
q per cent. Of tho nations area. and, with
he Pacific States. furnish the surplus that
enters into foreign commerce which puts