Broom marked contrast to po tatoes and other vege tables, the production of broom corn is very strongly localized in Illi nois. It is reported in the census returns from 70 counties, but 7 coun ties, lying in the south central part of the state, produce 93 per cent of the crop. These counties in order of production are: Coles, Cumberland, Shelby, Moultrie, Douglas, Jasper; and Piatt. Illinois produced one-fourth of the broom corn of the United States. Oklahoma raised twice as much as Illinois, and Kansas about half as much. Coles County alone produced 42 per cent of the broom corn of Illinois and 10 per cent of that of the United States.
Fruit-growing.—Apples are the most important of the orchard fruits. Apples are grown in all of the 102 counties of the state, but the southern part of the state is of more impor tance than the northern in apple production. Apple-growing has increased in recent years because of the discovery of means of controlling insects and fungous diseases which formerly caused great losses.
The trees planted in southern Illinois consist mainly of summer and early varieties for the more northern markets, while farther north fall and winter apples are grown. The largest commercial yield of apples in Illinois was that of 1915, amounting to 14,000,000 bushels. Only four states surpassed Illinois in apple production in that year. The crop of 1917 was about 40 per cent of a maximum crop with prices the best known for years. A three-acre orchard of summer varieties yielded apples valued at $3,000, or $1,000 per acre.
Other orchard fruits raised in Illinois in suffi cient quantities to be given in the United States Census are peaches and nectarines, pears, plums and prunes, cherries, quinces, apricots, and mulberries.
Strawberries are the most important crop among the small fruits of Illinois. They are found in every county of the state, but they are grown for market more extensively in the southern than in the northern part of the state. Pulaski, Union, and Massac counties produce more than one-third of the com mercial crop of the state.
Other small fruits of Illinois listed in the United States Census are blackberries and dewberries, raspberries and loganberries, currants, and cranberries.
Summary.—Illinois lies in the center of the largest single area of fertile farm lands anywhere in the world. A productive soil, a favorable climate, and an industrious population have made Illinois the foremost agricultural state of the nation. The products of Illinois farms contribute largely to the raw mate rials of manufacture. The progressiveness of the farmers of Illinois and adjoining regions has made Illinois the world's most important region for the manufacture of agricultural implements by creating a strong and constant local demand for the latest and most improved farm machinery. Factories supplying the local needs have naturally extended their markets throughout the nation and the world.
The large production of farm crops and live stock in Illinois agriculture has stimulated transportation and trade in every part of the state so that all regions are within easy access of railroad facilities.
The agricultural practice of Illinois is influenced in an important way by the location and development of cities within or near the state. The Illinois corn belt is so near the Chicago grain market that a larger proportion of Illinois corn is sold as grain than in regions more distant from market. This practice requires care in maintaining the fertility of the land. Small farms, intensively cultivated, with consequent large yield per acre have been developed near the larger cities, especially Chicago and St. Louis. Dairy farming has devel oped most within easy shipping distance of Chicago.
Illinois may maintain its leadership in agricultural resources by applying on all farms of the state the principles of scientific agriculture which have been fully demonstrated by the Agricultural Experiment Station for every type of soil within the state. President Draper's words should be appreciated and heeded: "The wealth of Illinois is in her soil, and her strength lies in its intelligent development."