The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-22
ENORMOUS CORN EXPORTS
The PRESENT FISCAL YEAR
Y.
THE LARGEST ON RECORD
Great Britain Absorbs Nearly 40
Per Cent of Our Export supply
-Increasing Popularity of the
Cereal in the United Kingdom
1--Germany Is Also II Good GUS
Tomer-A European Demand.

1--Germany Is Also Good GUS
Tomer-A European Demand.
Although Minnesota is not located in what
Is theoret, caIly or geographically known IS
the corn belt" the state has, year by year,
added to its acreage planted to this cereal,
and by so doing has demonstrated the in
accuracy of that Judgment to which expires
sicn is even now at times given that corn
cannot be successfully grown within its boun-
diaries. From an acreage OF 129909 acres in
1853 the area planted to in 1895 had
reached an acreage of 1,152,4 ASS acres. The
yield in 1868 was 1886 bu, average
Of 1888 Blu per acre. The yield in 1895 was
1887 900 Blu, or an average of S1.O2 bu per
acre. That was the year of the largest pro-
duction OF corn in the state. In 1896 the
acreage decreased to 1923, 400 acres, with
yield OF 34.4i7,00 blu, or 1910 blu per acre. In
1897 the acreage still further diminished to
$50 $50 acres, and the yield was only 20 S4l.60O
or Is bu PER acre. But in these last men
toned years, owing to the shrinkage in the
price Of corn, and the decline in the live
stock growing industry even the corn grown
received little attention. The acreage the
present year IS estimated to be nearly, if not
quite equal to that of 1895, though Official
figures are not yet available.
II has been demonstrated over and over
Throughout the central port ons of the STATE
and il has proved in the past o. immense
advantage in connection with the feeding of
live stock; and for such uses it should be
much more largely grown than at pres
ent. Indeed the recommendation is a wise
one that the farmers of Minnesota should not
undertake the cultivation solely for its
mercisl value, but rather as an auxiliary in
the growth and fattenng of live stock.
During the past twelve months corn has
developed into most important quantity
OF export The total yield of 1897 was 1.9O2,-
S6SCO0 Blu against 2 2S3 SIS, 900 bu
IN 1896. The acreage last year was 50 035.GOO
which was $4,000 acres less than in 1895
and 1881 COO less than in 1895. But our ex-
ports Of corn during the present fiscal year
VIII exceed all records In 1S96-'97 these
amounted to 176,91O,S65 bu, the fig
ures for the eleven months from July /,
1897, to May 81, 1898, had reached total
Of 1S9.646909 bu, Indicating a grand
total for the fiscal year of approximately
2lOG0OG00 blu. The value of the corn
exported thus far the present fiscal year is
S6io00. 210-as against a vaIue during the
preceding twelve months of $54, 0S7 $50. This
general increase is phenomenal In 1896 the
official figures of corn exports were SO 992,-
SIS, or practically 100000 blu, while
IN 1885 the total volume for the fiscal year
amounted to only 1881 1877 blu. In 1880
the figures reached $3.50 SIT bu, but
in 1898 they had fallen to 46,937, 274 Blu.
AS to the family of consumers. whom our
farmers supply with this cereal. Great Bri-
tain stands first. The United King
dom received from US during the first ten
months Of the present fiscal year 6S rs
bu. At tho present rate OF absorption by
that market the total amount of exports to
Great Britain for the year will be nearly 40
Ter cent. Germany has thus far taken of
our surplus during the year 80 ,S76
bu. About 50,000000 blu were dis
tributed among other European countries.
British North America has taken 15,105,o55
bu. In 1897 we exported to Mexico
" 100000 bu. while during the first
ten months OF the present fiscal year that
country has only taken lis, 1873 Blu, while Cuba
received from us 1,C4o, 472 bu.
In commenting upon this remarkable show
ing the the New Orleans Times-Democrat re-
marks:
OF course very large amount of mas
been exported in the form of skill fully aiul
Jerated flour, but the fact remains that the
consumption of cur CHEF cerea., in its original
form, is steadily increasing. This means
much to the United States, for the crop
IS the basis of the countrys commercial and
industrial life. No other commodity be
converted into so many different forms at the
point of production, and this fact renders the
producer especially independent of the spec
uative markets. AS the Kentucky colonel
put the matter, with more force than ee
gance: Think of the quantity of the stuff
that is used in the manufacture of whisky
besides what is wasted fer bread,''
There is no article of food which depends
so entirely upon the cooking In
the hands of a poor cook it is destruction to
the human stomach. although real culinary
skill may convert it into dish for the go1s
II Is OF the first Importance that the consump-
ton of corn should keep pace with the pro-
ducuon, and the government should bend
every energy in that direction. Much has
been done already, but vastly more remains
10 be accomplished.
In the face Of this surprising increase in
the popularity of our Indian corn, as it is
commonly called on tie other side OF the
Atlantic. the great corn growing states are
likely to enlarge their production of the
cereal. and unless the demand keeps pace
with the supply the present high price can
not be expected to be maintained But be
that as it may, the growing of corn is likely
to be stimulated by the existing condition of
things; and If this tendency shall develop in
Minnesota, advantages are certain to accrue
PROVIDED the cultivaiin of corn Is associated
with enlarged attention to the value of the
live stock industry to the state Some of the
souLherh counties are practically within the
corn bet, and will cultivate chiefly wi h
view to its prospective commercial value
BUT farmers far to the northward may with
proht raise the crop. always with view to
rs use with reference to the feeding of live
stock; remembering that it's maturity and
Ilpenlng are not essential and that the fod
der will contribute food for their f1ocks and
herds The present has thus far been
most favorable so far as weather conditions
go, and it is to be hoped that those who haze
undertaken the growth of the cereal NAV see
the value OF the stalks and husks as well
as me ear IN conenction with the larger de-
Velopment of diversified farming in the s.ata
COST OF GROWING CORN
The experimental station of Illinois rec,,t,,,
undertook to find what it cost to produce
bushel OF corn in Illinois, and to that end
sent out 900 circular letters to which 9ie
replies were received, coming from nearly Is
per cent OF the counties of the state and rep
resenting 1868 acres, with an ays rapa visld
OF 81 bushels. The expense included rib
bling rent for land and cost for seed the
two latter being figured practically uni