REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 23 



dollars in value, but they are increasing, and the relative number for 

 1912 is 283.1 in comparison with 1900 to 1909. 



The exports of cured pork hams declined in 1910 and 1911 to 

 about three-quarters of the average from 1900 to 1909, but in 1912 

 the exports were very nearly restored to the former amount. Lard 

 is another commodity that has been climbing back to former 

 importance as an exported commodity, and the quantity exported in 

 1912 is indicated by 88.8. If the exports of pork and of all of its 

 products are consolidated, it will appear that they are rapidly return- 

 ing to the average exports of 1900 and 1909. 



Cotton is the great mainstay of the export trade. Marked increase 

 in exports is conspicuous. Compared with the average exports of 

 1900 to 1909 represented by 100, the exports of 1890 to 1899 were 

 79.7; the exports of 1910 were 85.7; in 1911 they were 107.8; and in 

 1912 the relative number is 147.9. 



Apples are supporting an increased export trade, which now 

 amounts to about $10,000,000. The export trade in dried apples is 

 steadily increasing, and in comparison with the average of 1900 to 

 1909, the exports of 1912 are represented by 159. For fresh apples 

 the exports of 1912 are represented by 124.1. Prunes are a fruit that 

 has reversed the tide of international trade. Its exports now amount 

 to several million dollars a year, and are increasing. During the 

 last three years the exports of this fruit were nearly double the 

 average of the period 1900 to 1909. Kaisins have done better yet, 

 and now amount to about four times the average exports of the 

 period mentioned. Their value is more than a million dollars. Glu- 

 cose and grape sugar, with exports amounting to several million 

 dollars a year, are contributing to the foreign trade annual quantities 

 above the average of the 10-year period mentioned. 



To the list of commodities whose exports are increasing and are 

 above the average of the 10 years, 1900 to 1909, or very close to that 

 average, may be added hops, corn-oil cake, cotton-seed oil cake and 

 oil-cake meal, flaxseed oil cake and oil-cake meal, cotton-seed oil, lin- 

 seed oil, rice, cotton seed, tobacco; and the four vegetables, beans, 

 pease, onions, and potatoes. 



The foregoing would be quite a respectable list even though cotton 

 were omitted. Beef and its products have gone into a sorry decline 

 in the export trade, but wheat flour still maintains a high relative 

 showing, as is indicated by 71.2 in comparison with the annual aver- 

 age of the 10 years, 1900 to 1909, and has steadily increased in ex- 

 ports during the last three years. The exports of wheat, including flour 

 converted to wheat, amounted to 80,000,000 bushels in 1912. 



The general fact, however, is that the packing-house products have 

 declined in value of exports since 1900. when thoy reached their 

 highest value, $208,000,000, and have declined still more in quantity 



