3. CORN.-Usual average per acre, thirty bushels. This year better than usual-about forty bushels. Principally fed to cattle. Price thirty-eight cents per bushel. 4. OATS.-Average about thirty bushels; about a usual crop, but injured by the grasshopper. 5. RYE AND BARLEY.-Average per acre of rye about fifteen bushels; about fifteen thousand bushels raised in the county the last yearworth about fifty cents per bushel. Barley about eighteen bushels per acre; about seventeen thousand bushels raised-worth about 62 cents per bushel. 6. GRASS AND HAY.-About one and a half tons per acre. The present season it has been injured by drouth. Produce this year about one ton per acre. The best yield was obtained from low lands. Usual price per ton is five dollars; this year it is worth seven dollars. About four hundred and eighty thousand (48,000?) tons of hay are annually consumed in this county. Roots not grown 7. ROOT CROPS.-The average yield of potatoes is fifty bushels. Many more might be produced per acre, but for the destruction by the "rot." Our farmers plant on our forest soil; using no manure of any kind. Pinkeyes and Neshanocks preferred. for feeding stock to any considerable extent. 8. FRUIT. The fruit of the county consists peaches, pears, quinces, plums, cherries, &c. to improve our fruit. We have very many and very good varieties of apples, which are exported in a green state to some extent. This year there will be about 80,000 bushels of dried apples exported. mostly of apples; some Efforts are being made 9. SEEDS. There is very little clover or timothy seed grown for export from this county. There is a large amount of flax raised for the seed, which is made into oil, of which large amounts are exported from our county. 10. OTHER CROPS.-There is no hemp grown in this county. A large amount of flax is raised for the seed. No attention is paid to the fibre. The flax is fed to the cattle, and is said to contain as much nutriment as wheat straw for stock. 11. DAIRY PRODUCTS.-There are are about 9,000 dairy cows in this county. from which about 300 lbs. of cheese per cow are obtained, (2,700,000 lbs.,) worth this year at the dairies, about $4 50 per hundred, while our factory cheese is worth $7 per hundred. There is a large amount of butter made for export, but the amount is not known, 12. SHEEP AND WOOL.-Wool to the amount of about one hundred and seventy thousand pounds, has been produced in the county this year. Quality very good. Something still doing to improve the quality, but the quantity is not increased. 13. PORK.-There are raised and slaughtered in this county, about five thousand three hundred hogs of a superior quality. Average weight about three hundred-worth $3 50 per hundred pounds. The quality is being mproved. 14. BEEF.-We export about six thousand five hundred beef cattle, annually. The aggregate value of each, say at four years old, $30. Some importations annually from abroad. 15. HORSES AND MULES.-About eleven hundred horses are annually sold for export in the county. Their average value, at 4 years old, is about $80. There are only nine mules in this county-worth about eighteen pence, (or less,) for farming purposes. 16. IMPLEMENTS.-No new im 'ements or machinery have een introduced within the past year worthy of notice; and yet there seems to have been a general improvement in all agricultural implements used in the county. 17. OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.-Some draining of wet lands during the past season; to what extent or with what results or cost, is not known. 18. MINERALS.-We have no coal, salt, iron, or other minerals in this county. 19. MILLS.-There has been a considerable increase in the number of mills, within the last year; the most of which are propelled by steam. 20. PUBLIC SHOws.-The law relating to public shows has been so rigidly enforced, as to prevent any shows coming into this county this year. GENERAL REMARKS. There has been a continued advancement made by the farmers of this county, in all the different branches of agricultural industry. In some townships, particular attention is paid to the raising of stock, and to some extent, the fattening of beef for foreign exportation; while in others, more particular attention is given to the dairying business. Our farmers are becoming more and more accustomed to devote themselves to some one branch of agricultural industry, thereby realizing a better return for their capital and labor. In the dairying business there is continued increase in improvements. The experiment has been made during the past season, of manufacturing, in a factory built for that purpose-the proprietors purchasing the curd and making it up. It is said to be a process that pays well to both parties; the cheese being made with a view to the keeping for any length of tire and easy of transportation. It is preferred by shippers, to that made by our farmers. For the dairy no breed has been preferred in particular; the native being principally used, with such improvements as occasional crosses produce. In the raising of stock, much attention is being paid to improvement. The breeds most sought after, are the Durhams and Devons, by a crossing of which with our native cattle, and occasional crossing of other breeds, we may, by judicious management, raise up a stock of cattle peculiarly our own, in which the peculiar good qualities of the different breeds may, to some extent, be perpetuated. Just at the present time, there is a leaning among many to the Durham stock, while others continue to prefer the Devons, of which variety there are, perhaps, in this county, some as well perfected specimens as can be found in the State. ANNUAL REPORT of the Geauga County Agricultural Society for the year 1850. To the Ohio State Board of Agriculture: Herewith you find a copy of the Treasurer's report, published according to law. The society is now in a most flourishing condition. During the present year, there have been many additions of members; and there has been a continually increasing interest in its operations, which interest is manifest in the attendance upon its fairs, and the spirit exhibited in presenting different articles for competition. The fair of the present year, exceeded any previous one, in the number, in attendance, and in the enthusiasm manifested. Although on account of storm, there was not as large amount of stock on the ground as usual, still, the quality of that which was exhibited, shows that there is no lack of interest in reference to this branch of our agricultural industry; while of domestic manufacture, including mechanical articles, fruits and other productions of the soil, there was a display of which no county need be ashamed. The following are the officers elected for the coming year: HARVEY HARRINGTON, President, Auburn Corners. L. J. RIDER, Secretary, Chardon. O. P. BROWN, Treasurer, Chardon. 1. PRINCIPAL CROPS.-Corn, Wheat, Grass and Oats, with small amounts of Barley, Rye, Buckwheat, Flax Seed and Grass Seed. 2. WHEAT-The most common average for the county is 15 bushels; this year it is about 20 bushels per acre, and of prime quality. Rust is the principal cause of failure; the only remedy we know of is to sow early varieties early in the season. The aggregate of the last crop cannot be stated, but there will be a very large surplus. Some new kinds of wheat have been introduced, but they are not sufficiently tested to report on. 3. CORN.-The usual average per acre is from 45 to 50 bushels; that of the present year is about 35 bushels. Quality only second rate. Our surplus corn is fed to hogs or sold to distillers. The price paid by the latter varies from 25 to 40 cents per bushel. There was a greater amount of land devoted to this crop last spring than common. The aggregate will not be much less than it has been in good sea sons. 4. OATS. The usual average 35 bushels; the last crop was about one-fourth, or 8 or 10 bushels per acre. Oats fail here from excessive drouth, some years, but are a sure crop generally. 5. Rye and BarlEY.-Were good. Average, rye, 20 to 25 bushels. Price 50 cents. Fall barley, 50 bushels. Price 62 cents; the amount raised is not large. 6. GRASS AND HAY.-The usual average is 1 to 2 tons, that of the past year about one-fourth of that. Meadows on dry land were a total failure. Those recently set on moist soil, a moderate crop. Usual price about $4 per ton. 7. ROOT CROPS.-The usual average of potatoes is from 150 to 200 bushels per acre. This year some few obtained a half crop, in general they were a failure. Neshannocks are preferred for table use; but pink eyes and some other varieties are more productive. A deep mellow, moist soil is the best for growing them. 8. FRUIT. The character of the fruit recently planted is good, and there is a general effort to improve. Some fruit is exported both in a green and dry state, but the amount is not large. 9. SEEDS. The amount of seeds exported is not large. The last crop will not supply the home demand. 10. OTHER CROPS.-There is but little hemp or flax grown for the fibre. Some broom corn and field beans. The aggregate is not known. 11. DAIRY PRODUCTS.-The amount of butter exported is not known, but there is an increase in quantity and improvement in quality. The amount per cow varies according to food and other management. No distinct breed commands the premium as yet. REPORT of the Greene County Agricultural Society—Remarks and Statistics of Agriculture from census returns. To the Ohio State Board of Agriculture: The President and Secretary of the Greene County Agricultural Society submit their annual report for the year ending December 4th, 1850. |
