My great great grandfather's book on agriculture from 1867 may be just what you are looking for.
The index is on page V, the yields of corn, which he calls Indian corn, are shown on pages 26, 27.
In the book he speaks of hiring up to 54 workers at a time, if I recall correctly. I expect that was harvest labor and before the reaper came about.
Folsom Dorsett was born in Maine and farmed there during his youth. He eventually married, had a family, and lived in Sangamon County and Tazewell County, Illinois before finally moving to young Chicago around 1850. By that time he had farmed 30 years. One source says he introduced silos to the west, meaning west of the New England states.
In 1867 he patented a hay and grain drying device, basically a ventilation system. http://goo.gl/xTJWl He held a patent on an improved boot jack, and also a co-patent on a pipe coating to prevent corrosion.
He operated a store in Chicago and traded in produce and commodities, i.e. eggs, butter, milk, cheese, etc. Many store ads including prize monies for exhibitions can be found for his business.
Not that it matters at all, but he and his family were acquainted with Lincoln. Family tradition tells that he was appointed by Lincoln to head a new Agriculture Department for the Government. Lincoln was killed before he took office and not liking Johnson he refused to serve. I find no historical written evidence that there is any truth to the story however. My grandmothers older sisters attended a ball in Chicago in honor of Grant, so the family was connected politically.
Sorry if I ramble as I'm a bit proud of him and his family. Mainly I suppose because he is one ancestor (and family) that I can find so many interesting stories and history about.
With snow falling and cold set in, perhaps a nice ag book of olde would make for some nice winter reading.
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