ao9 



Bushels. 



1854 897,159 



1855 --- 737,880 



Decrease, 159,279 



This decrease is partially owing to the fact as above stated, that a 

 larger proportion of the crop was manufactured before being shipped 

 than in previous years. The unmerchantable condition of the wheat 

 during the fall months, when the greater proportion of the crop is gen- 

 erally marketed, also caused a large falling off in shipments. The re- 

 ceipts of wheat per Michigan Central Railroad in 1854, were 644,949 

 against 246,534 bushels in 1855, showing a falling off of 293,415 

 bushels, or nearly one half. The receipts by the Detroit and Milwaukee 

 Railway were larger than ever before, as the road was opened in Octo- 

 ber to Fentonville, twenty-five miles beyond its former terminu?, and 

 the crop in the northern counties being in a much more marketable 

 condition than in any other part of the State, a la'-ger proportion found 

 its way to maiket before the close of navigation. The market has 

 been considerably depressed during the entire year, considering the 

 large crop; although prices have ruled high. Wheat, as well as flour, 

 ruled higher during the year 1855 tban during any previous year since 

 1838. In the fall of 18^8 the highest market price for wheat was 

 $2 25 per bushel, and during June last the same high price was 

 reached. These are the highest prices ever paid for wheat in Michigan. 

 In 1842, and a number of years thereafter, wheat was a perfect drug 

 upon the market. The lowest market price ever reached in Michigan, 

 was in the fall of 1842, when wheat was sold by the farmers at 44 

 cents per bushel, and in many instances taking "store pay" at that. 



The following table exhibits the price of wheat in this market upon 

 the 1st and 15th of each month, for the past three years: 



1853. 1854. 1855. 



January Ist 90al 00 $1 30al 35 $1 65al 75 



" 15th 90al 00 1 37al 40 1 75al 80 



February 1st 90al 00 1 56al 62 1 76al 80 



" 15th 85a 95 1 56al 62 1 70al 75 



March 1st 85a 95 1 40al 46 1 65al 70 



« 15th 85a 90 1 35al 40 1 65al 70 



