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Show THE UrtEAT AtoSLKICAN CROP. 1 Tirr Position 'e;lcl by Indian Corn !n tho .Vr:oulline o! tho I nited State, j hiiliitu corn occupies the leading position posi-tion in tlio agriculture of (ho United State.,' both as regards the volume produced pro-duced annually an i 1 1st; arr-a r nder cul-ti cul-ti vat ion. It is also the most widely distributed dis-tributed crop, being grown to more or 1,-fs extent in every state and territory and almost in every county in which agriculture ag-riculture is carried on. As stated in a government report, taking the eleven c iioii states as a whole, these dovote a larger area of their cultivated laud to Co; n than to cotton. The great wheat belt of the Ohio and Missouri valleys gives corn a more prominent position than that occupied by wheat itself. In measured quantity our crop of a single year has exceeded the wheat crop of the civilized world, and no other grain crop approaches it in volume. About i)6 per cent, of our crop is annually consumed in this country, and more than SO per cent, never crosses tho lines of the county coun-ty in which it is grown. It is the great American crop. Iu 13 HI the center of production was in Ohio, with 50,000,(100 bushels, closely followed by Kentucky and Illinois. The census returns for lf59 show that the center of production had shifted to Illi nois, where it remained for three decades. dec-ades. In 1S79 Illinois still kept the first place, but Iowa now ranks as the greatest great-est corn producing state in the country. Tho movement of corn production westward, west-ward, and the decline in relative: position posi-tion of states formerly holding first rank does not mean that they produce less corn than formerly, but results from the immense areas developed in newer regions. re-gions. While only about 4 per cent, of this crop has been sold abroad, the superior quality of American corn, due to our exceptionally ex-ceptionally favorable soil and climate, makes it certain that whatever demand for this cereal may hereafter be created throughout the world, must largely bB supplied from the fields of the United States. Protecting Treea froui Mice. . Small trees, or those newly set, may be protected from mice in winter with small compact mounds of earth; "bu' rROTECTINO A TRUE 'WITH- SHEtT TI5. ihese cauuot always be made on home grounds or indoor yards, in which case a roll of sheet tin may be easily and quickly placed about the stem, as represented in the cut. The mice will not climb up this tin protector. Suitable tin sheets may be purchased for five cents each. These may be bent into shape about a largo stick or pole and then placed in position around the tree with a few seconds' work, their elasticity bringing them into place. Country Gentleman. Langshans and Cochins. The Langshan and the Cochin are distinct dis-tinct types of fowls and are said to be in noways related. And there is as much difference between a Black Langshan and a Black Cochin as there is between tho latter and a Light Brahma. They are not alike at all. The Langshan has sicklo feathers which flow over the tail, while the tail of the Cochin turns abruptly ab-ruptly over, having no sickles. The legs of a Langshan resemble the turkeys, while tho Cochin has black shanks, or black shading into willow, the bottoms of the feet being yellow, tho Langshan's being pinkish. The Cochin is low, compact, com-pact, while the Langshan is more symmetrical, sym-metrical, more' active and can fly over a fence, as we tnow by experience. The Cochin cannot do this. The Langshan matures earlier than tho Cochin. However, How-ever, the Cochin is a good fowl and is heavier than the Langshan. It will ba seen that the two, fowls are unlike in weight, size, shape and general characteristics. charac-teristics. Southern Fancier. Seven Vears' Ksperience with Silos. John Gould, a progressive farmer, who is now feeding silage for the seventh sev-enth winter, was asked not long since at a farmers' institute if he thought silo3 are losing ground in the public estimation. estima-tion. He replied that his seven years' experience warranted him in saying that he was most thoroughly convinced, of the necessity for silage and instead -of the system losing ground tho silo was rapidly increasing its number of enthn-' siastic advocates in Ohio. - Here and There. The report of the secretary of the Iowa state board of agriculture shows the total value of the products of Iowa soil for 1891 to be M9,897,605. Of this amount over f 100,000,000 is for corn. - New York state, with 20,500,000 pounds of hops, produced almost double the quantity of any other state. The largest broom corn market in Kansas and the third in the United States is at Sterling. The latest invention from Minnesota is an electric plow. The estimates of the agricultural department de-partment show that in 1891 .Texas produced pro-duced 6,435,000 bushels of wheat The Silk Association of America and the Silk Industry association, of Pater-son, Pater-son, N. J., acting conjointly, are considering consid-ering an exhibition of the silk industry at the Columbian fair. . Richardson,, New York, is secretary. |
