In 1871 the product of the United States was 230,722,400 bushels, of which Illinois had 25,216,000, being followed by Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa.
In 1870 Illinois produced 30,128,405. "But," says the same authority, "we now (1870) find Iowa close alongside of us, her product being 29,435,692 bushels of wheat."
It is to be remarked that neither Minnesota nor California were deemed worthy of notice in this rivalry of these older States. But in three years from that date Minnesota, as well as Iowa, was "close alongside" of Illinois, raising from 15 millions in 1870 to 22 millions in 1872, and 26,402,485 in 1873. In 1874 the wheat product of Minnesota was within a fraction of 24 millions. I give her yields in this table:
WHEAT YIELD FOR FOUR YEARS IN SUCCESSION.
| Bushels. | Average per acre. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1872 | 22,069,375 | 17.40 |
| 1873 | 26,402,485 | 17.04 |
| 1874 | 23,988,172 | 14.23 |
| 1875 | 30,059,300 | 17.05 |
I am not aware that any State ever did, or can, show a better record than this for four successive years. I give below a few of the
MAXIMUM WHEAT PRODUCTS OF STATES.
| Ohio, 1850 | 30,309,373 |
| California, 1874 | 30,248,341 |
| Illinois, 1870 | 31,128,405 |
| Minnesota, 1875 | 30,079,300 |
| Iowa, 1870 | 29,435,692 |
"It will be observed," remarks the Commissioner, "that according to these figures Minnesota ranks fourth."
True enough, but fast on the heels of 1875 comes the crop of 1877, and with a bounce to 35,000,000 bushels of wheat Minnesota stands at the head of all as a wheat-producing State.