Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/886

OHIO. as the Mecca-Belden district, small quantities of lubricating oil are obtained. The utilization of the State's natural gas resources is also of recent development. There are two gas fields corresponding in a general way with those of petroleum. The extensive use of gas for fuel began in the Eastern district in the early seventies. The value of the gas burned in 1880 was estimated at over $5,000,000. The product was extravagantly consumed, and the supply soon became exhausted, so that in 1885 the value of the product was only about $100,000. The development of the gas fields in the northwest part of the State began at Findlay about this time, and the value of the output rapidly increased until 1889, when it exceeded that of any previous year. After 1889 the output declined steadily until 1898, since when its value increased again, amounting in 1900 to $2,178,234. From 1890 to 1900 the State was exceeded in rank with respect to the output of natural gas by Pennsylvania and Indiana, and since 1899 by West Virginia.

Ohio ranks first in the annual value of clay products, contributing 17.3 per cent. (1900) of the total output for the country. Their value increased from $10,860,934 in 1890 to $18,504,628 in 1900. Of the latter amount, $8,573,323 represented the value of the pottery (see Manufactures). and $9,731,305, the brick and tile. The State regularly ranks first in the figures for the sandstone product. From an annual value of over $3,000,000 in the earlier years of the decade 1890-1900, Ohio's product fell to about half that amount, but rose in 1900 to $2,233,596, including grindstones and whetstones. Of these it produces over four times as much as all the rest of the country, the value for 1900 being $549,636. The output of limestone for the same decade fluctuated in value around $1,500,000, approximately half the product being burned into lime. Considerable quantities of cement are annually manufactured. Iron ore was mined at an early period, and was of great importance to the industrial development of the State. Recently, however, iron-mining has become of less importance, both relatively and absolutely. From 344,484 tons in 1886 the output fell gradually to 61,016 tons in 1900, the entire product being of the carbonate variety of ore, and giving Ohio first rank in the production of carbonate ore. In 1900 sales of mineral water were reported from fifteen springs. In the same year the production of salt amounted to $696,326, giving the State fourth rank.

. The greater part of Ohio was originally covered with forests of hard wood, largely white oak. Scarcely any of the primeval forests remain. The wooded area in 1900 was estimated at 9300 square miles, or 23 per cent. of the total area. The value of the lumber and timber products (see table below) was greater for 1900 than for any previous census year. The abundance of forests early gave rise to a number of industries, such as the manufacture of planing-mill products, furniture, etc., which have continued important, although much of their timber supply is now imported from other States.

. 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 transportation facilities help to stimulate agriculture. Every decade from 1850 to 1900 shows an increase 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 1890 to 88.5 acres in 1900. The farms operated by tenants in 1900 were 27.5 per cent. of the total number. Farm renting is becoming more common. 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. In 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 time 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 buckwheat are not extensively raised. Ohio is one of the largest producers of Irish potatoes, and the large city markets have given rise to the extensive raising of other varieties of vegetables—sweet corn, tomatoes, and cabbage being particularly important. The area devoted to tobacco increased 61.2 per cent. from 1890 to 1900, the rank of the State in 1900 being fourth. Over 43 per cent. of the area devoted to tobacco in 1900 lay 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:

. Stock-raising is characterized by the same diversity as is the cultivation of crops. Ohio holds a prominent place in dairying. The number of dairy cows has increased each decade since 1870. The production of milk gained 30.3 per cent. from 1890 to 1900. The receipts from sales of dairy produce in 1900 were $15,484,849, or 61 per cent. of the value of the total product. Of this amount, $8,303,626 was derived from the sale of milk, and most of