sible for the wife and children to support themselves, and to get alon somehow. But not so with these interests; if agriculture die, it is impossible that the other members should live-they too, must die. As, in the family relation, the prosperity of the whole, is mainly dependent on the energy, industry and enterprise of the husband, so and even more so, in this case. As well might it be supposed that a disorderly family, (and every family is disorderly when the husband is negligent and lazy, and does not take the lead,) could be. made to move on in harmony and prosperity, by the aid of gifts and protection bestowed on the other members, as that the industrial family could be really and permanently benefitted by any legislative enactments favoring the subordinate members, while the head of the relation is neglected. Then let agriculture be encouraged, protected and improved. It is the great master wheel of the world. Increase its motion but the slightest, and smaller wheels will be made to double their velocity. Allow to it the importance, the honor, and dignity that naturally belong to it; encourage and support it, and it will encourage and support the other interests. Elevate and improve it, and you elevate and improve the condition of the other departments. Chillicothe, Dec. 2, 1850. REPORTS OF THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, AND OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF THE VARIOUS COUNTIES, As far as Replies have been received to the Annual Circular of the State Board. ALLEN COUNTY. BY GEORGE SHIPLEY. 1. PRINCIPAL CROPS.-Wheat, Corn, Oats, Buckwheat, Rye, Potatoes, Clover, and Timothy Seed. 2. WHEAT. The usual average crop per acre is 10 bushels. A great amount of our land is new, and an accurate estimate of the quantity, therefore, cannot be properly formed. The yield this year is unusually good-average per acre, 16 bushels. There is a decided improvement in the wheat farming business in this county. Wheat, in 1850, about 250,000 bushels. 3. CORN.-The usual average yield per acre is 50 bushels. The present year, owing to the extreme drouth, the crop is short, averaging per acre, 40 bushels. The corn crop is mostly consumed in the county. Usual price per bushel, 25 cents. 4. OATS. The usual average yield per acre is 40 bushels. The crop this year is rather short, average per acre 30 bushels, owing to extreme dry weather during the months of May and June. 7-AG. REP. 5. RYE AND BARLEY.-The usual average yield per acre is 12 bushels. There is but little of either grown in this county. Usual price per bushel, 35 cents. 6. GRASS AND HAY.-The average yield per aere is 14 tons. The erop this season was generally seriously injured by the drouth-the average yield per acre 1 ton. Price $5; this season $3 per ton. 7. ROOT CHOPS.-The usual yield of potatoes per acre is 200 bushels. The crop the present year, owing to the early drouth, disease, dry rot, will yield not over 75 bushels. The best crops were raised on new or fresh land. There are no other root crops except turnips, which are raised in considerable quantities. 8. FRUIT.--The fruit of this county is chiefly of the usual grafted varieties, and is all, as yet, consumed in the county. 9. SEEDS. The usual crop of clover seed per acre is 3 bushels; this year about the same. The present year 1,600 bushels have been raised. Usual price per bushel, $2 50. Timothy seed about 800 bushels. Price $1 per bushel. Of flax seed but little is raised in this county. 11. DAIRY PRODUCTS.-Probably about 50,000 lbs. butter expor ted annually, value 8 cents per pound. No cheese, as yet, exported. There is some disposition manifested by our farmers to increase the dairy business. The cows are usually of the common stock, 12. SHEEP AND WOOL-About 40,000 pounds of wool produced, mostly of the common and Merino mixture. There has as yet been little attention paid to sheep in this county, owing to the newness of the same. There is a disposition among farmers to increase their sheep stock. 13. PORK. The usual value of the pork exported from the county is $8,000-worth about $2 50 per cwt. About one half is slaughtered in this county, and the residue in Sandusky City, Columbus and Cincinnati. There is a decided improvement in the hog stock within the last year. 14. BEEF. The number of beef cattle exported from the county annually is 1,000 head; worth about $10,000, or $10 per head, of 4 years old. Our cattle are mostly of the common breed. There is, however, a decided improvement in this respect. 15. HORSES AND MULES.-The number of horses annually exported from the county is probably 100. The number raised is about 500. The average value of each $60. I believe there are no mules raised in the county. 16. IMPLEMENTS.-In respect to farming implements, little can be said as to improvement. 17. OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.-There is a decided improvement in agriculture, but the county is yet too new to have advanced to that state of perfection that has been attained in some of the older counties. I believe there has never been an Agricultural Society in this county. 20. The amount collected from shows the last year, belonging to the State Agricultural Fund, as reported to me by the Auditor is $10. There are no escheated lands in this county. ASHLAND COUNTY. BY JOSEPH WORKMAN, 1. PRINCIPAL CROPS.-Wheat, Corn, Oats, Pork, Wool, together with some Rye, Buckwheat and Potatoes. 2. WHEAT. The average yield per acre is 15 bushels; the past season, 25 bushels. Diseases-rust, winter killing and the fly. Remedy-good cultivation and manure. As to probable amount, I have no reliable source from which to make an estimate. Improvements— Wheat Drill and Cultivator, together with the use of Gypsum. 3. CORN.-Average yield 45 bushels. The past season about an average crop has been raised, mostly fed or used at home. Price 25 to 31 cents. 4. OATS. Usual average 30 bushels; past season not over 15 bushels; injured by drouth. 5. RYE AND BARLEY.-Usual product of rye per acre 15 to 20 bushels; very little raised, and that consumed at home; price 31 to 371 cents. Very little, if any barley raised. 6. GRASS AND HAY.-The usual average yield is 1 tons; the present season, scarcely 1 ton; very much injured by drouth on upland and second bottom meadows. The usual price is $4 per ton; present price $6 per ton. 7. ROOT CROPS.-Usual average of potatoes, 150 bushels per acre; this season not half a crop. Varieties-Copperhead, Peach Blow, Baltimore Blue, Long Red, and many other varieties, but those mentioned are most esteemed in the order named, and are least liable to the rot. The Copperhead is nearly exempt from that disease, and is a very early variety. Lime and ashes are used to prevent the rot with advantage. No other root crops worth naming. 8. FRUIT. Considerable improvement in fruit, particularly apples. Peaches are mostly seedlings; some grafting and budding of the peach, the cherry and the plum. Very little exportation of fruit, green or dry; mostly used for home consumption. 9. SEEDS.-Some clover seed exported. Not much timothy seed raised. Clover yields 3 bushels per acre, generally, and sells at from $3 to $5 per bushel. 10. OTHER CROPS.-No hemp, and but little flax produced; some broom corn; very few field beans; tobacco, none; mustard, madder and mint oil, none. 11. DAIRY PRODUCTS.-Large quantities of butter exported, but the quantity is not easily ascertained. No cheese for export. Some improvement in churns. The native cattle are mostly preferred; a few short-horned Durhams have been introduced. Our farmers are slow to improve their cattle. 12. SHEEP AND WOOL.-Aggregate amount of wool not easily ascertained; quality, from the coarsest common to good Merino and Saxony. Number of sheep, within the last few years, nearly doubled. The South Downs, Lincolnshires, and some other large breeds, are being introduced and preferred by some; others prefer the finer kinds. 13. PORK.-Cannot ascertain the aggregate product; value, per 100 lbs., from $250 to $4; mostly slaughtered at home, and mostly barreled; some smoked. The stock is improving by crosses with the China and Berkshire, and some other large kinds. 14. BEEF.-Very few slaughtered at home for home consumption. A few short-horned Durhams have been introduced., |