132 INTRODUCTION. 



circulation ; and though they contain many theories which have yet to undergo 

 the test of more accurate investigation, they have already opened to our citizens 

 a new and most interesting department of science. The district school library 

 has afforded facilities for introducing our farmers, in every school district in the 

 state, to an intimate acquaintance with all that is valuable in these works. 



An opinion generally prevails that production is altogether greater in Great 

 Britain than here, in proportion to the quantity of improved land, and to population. 

 The number of improved acres of land in the state of New- York is ten millions ; 

 in Great Britain, ninety-eight millions. This state annually produces thirty-nine 

 millions of bushels of wheat, barley, oats and rye. Great Britain produces two 

 hundred and sixty-two millions. New- York produces two millions of cattle, and 

 five millions three hundred and eighty-one thousand sheep. Great Britain pro- 

 duces ten millions of cattle, and forty-four millions of sheep. It thus appears 

 that New- York is more productive in proportion to the quantity of improved 

 land, than Great Britain. The comparison, however, would not hold good if 

 instituted with the strictly agricultural districts of England. The United States 

 produces an average of eighteen and a half bushels of grain for each person, 

 while Great Britain produces in the proportion of twelve bushels for each person. 

 But it must be remembered, that in addition to the grains which have been 

 already mentioned, and which are common to both countries, the United States 

 has a bread crop consisting of four hundred millions of bushels of indian corn, of 

 which the state of New- York produces eleven and a half millions, while Great 

 Britain has no corresponding crop adapted to human sustenance. The United 

 States produces twenty-one millions of swine, a larger number than is to be found 

 in all Europe. Of these, two millions are produced in this state ; and this compared 

 with similar productions in Great Britain, increases the proportion of this state 

 in productions adapted to human sustenance. It may be useful to place on record 

 for future reference, as well as to excite attention to the importance of agricul- 

 tural statistics, an account of the annual productions of the state as derived from 



