AGRICULTURE. There is little waste land in the State. In 1900, 93.9 per cent. of the total land area Was in farms. The proximity of large city markets and the excellence of the trans portation facilities help to stimulate agriculture. Every decade from 1931) to 1900 shows an in crease in the area of improved land, which amounted in both 1890 and 1900 to 78.5 per cent. of the total farm area. The average size of farms decreased from 125.2 acres in 1891) to S8.5 acres in 1900. The farms operated by ten ants in 1900 were 27.5 per cent. of the total number. Farm renting is becoming more com mon. The farms leased on share are more than twice as numerous as those leased for cash.
From the table appended it will be noticed that no particular agricultural products receive a monopoly of attention. hi the variety of its farm yield the State has ranked high since the first settlement of the West. The staple products are grown throughout the State. there being only a slight difference in the adaptability of the different sections. The area of corn, wheat, and hay each exceeds three million acres, though the two last attained that record for the first tune in 1900. From 1890 to 1900 the acreage of wheat increased 41.4 per cent. and the acreage of corn 20 per cent. Oats are also extensively grown. but this crop decreased in area during that decade. Rye, barley, and buck wheat are not extensively raised. Ohio is one of the largest producers of Dish potatoes, and the large city markets have given rise to the extensive raising of other varieties of vegetablzs —sweet corn, tomatoes, and cabbage being par ticularly important. The area devoted to tobacco increased 61.2 per cent. from 1390 to 1900. the rank of the State in 1900 being fourth. Over 43 per cent. of the area devoted to tobacco in 1900 hay in the counties of Montgomery and Darke. Ohio is probably the largest producer
of temperate zone orchard fruits. Fifty-nine per cent. of the trees, or 12.952.625. are apple. The yield of this crop in 1900 was 20,600,000 bushels. The number of peach and pear trees was three times. and of plum and prune trees six times, as great in 1900 as in 1890. The region around Lake Erie is especially favored for fruit-raising. This region has become noted for its numerous and extensive vineyards. Large quantities of small fruits are grown. The use of fertilizers, estimated on the basis of cost, increased 68.2 per cent. from 1890 to 1900, amounting in the latter year to an average of $10 per farm.
The following table of crop acreages is self explaining: Sroct:-ll.tt8iNG. Stoek-raising is characterized by the same diversity as is the cultivation of crops. Ohio holds a prominent place in dairy ing. Thy number of dairy cows has increased each decade since 1.870. The production of milk gained 30.3 per cent. from 1890 to 1900. Tho receipts from sales of dairy produce in 1900 were 815.4S4.849, or GI per emit. of the value of the total product. Of this amount, $4.303.626 was derived from the sale of milk, and most of tho remainder from butter. The State is noted for sheep-raising, having for a long time led in the number of sheep. but there was a large decrease from 1890 to 1900. The average weight of fleeces, however, increased in this last decade, and in 1899 34.299.025 was received from sales of wool. There was a significant gain from 1390 to 1900 in the number of cattle. The number of swine has remained about the same since 1880. Poultry is an important source of income.
The following table of holdings of stock ex plains itself: