p.18

412

Of the wheat produced in 1849, as shown in this table, about two-
thirds were exported, mostly by way of Lake Michigan, being shipped
at the ports of Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine, either in the form of
grain or flour.

Table of the exports of wheat and flour, at Milwaukee, from 1845 to
1853:

[Table Column 1]

Year. Wheat (bushels.) Flour (barrels.)

1845 95,500 7,500
1846 213,448 15,756
1847 598,011 34,840
1848 612,474 92,732
1849 1,148,807 136,657

[Table Column 2]

Year. Wheat (bushels.) Flour (barrels.)

1850 297,578 100,017
1851 130,744 101,811
1852 428,512 88,213
1853 1,181,090 159,216

Besides the above, large quantities are shipped annually at the ports
of Kenosha and Racine; and recently Sheboygan and Ozaukee have begun
to export this invaluable grain.

Among the items exported by way of Lake Michigan, besides wheat
and flour, are large quantities of oats and barley; and also corn, hay,
grass-ssed, rye and broom-corn.

The following Table shows the prices of grain in Milwaukee, in the month
of October, for the last four years, including the low prices of 1851, and
the high rates of the past year. The prices are in cents per bushel:

1850. 1851. 1852. 1853.
Winter Wheat ... 60 to 73 40 to 70 66 to 75 91 to 111
Spring Wheat ... 38 to 65 30 to 50 48 to 66 82 to 100
Rye ... -------- 32 to 35 50 to 56 52 to 58
Barley ... 45 to 60 35 to 50 40 to 56 40 to 50
Oats ... 25 to 30 15 to 18 26 to 29 25 to 30

It may not be unimportant to copy here some account of the method
of preparing straw, or the culms of grass for the manufacture of hats.
"The period of flowering, or at the time the grass is in full flower, or
when the blossom is about decaying, is the best stage of growth at which
to cut the culms. They may be bleached by the process detailed by Mr.
Cobbett, in his 'Cottage Economy.' The culms being selected and placed
in a convenient vessel, boiling water is poured over them, in quantity sufficient
to cover the straw; in this they are to remain ten minutes; when