G74 



inducing imnecessary exposure, wTiile the rigorous we.ather of the mountain region 

 was very fatal. The present returns are light, except iu the districts of crop failure. 

 Sheep show smaller loss thau usual, the present position of the industrj' warranting 

 more care and attention than this class of farm stock have received during late years. 

 No unusual disease is reported among swine, but losses engendered by neglect and 

 lack of sufficient feed in trans-Mississippi States have swelled the aggregate for the 

 country. 



Agricultural lyroduction. — Farm labor is not sufiScieutly effective; its distribution 

 could be more harmonious and profitable. Prices of cereals have sometimes been 

 reduced by oversupply. Cotton, with a product of 22,000,000 bales in 3 years, a 

 qnantity greater than the production of 6 years prior to 18G0, begins to decline in 

 price. At the same time there is a failure to produce the sugar required, though 

 there is cane land sufficient for an ample supply and beet-sugar lauds ad Uhitum, 

 without mentioning the possibilities of sorghum. There might be tens of millions 

 of dollars annually coiued from various fibers, large extension of fruit growing, and 

 introduction of many economic plants to be made the basis of new industries. 



It is not true that the wheat of the world is declining. It is not difficult to prove 

 the existence of 2,300,000,000 bushels as an average, and there is no prospect of 

 decrease. Annual fluctuations, from climatic causes, will produce variation in price, 

 which the distribution of harvests of different climates through the year and increase 

 of international transportation facilities will help to equalize. The United States 

 will continue to produce a surplus for export until the wheat culture of the plains 

 shall have given place to more varied and profitable culture, and increasing numbers 

 of non-agricultural population shall require for bread the entire crop. 



It is proper to say that the tendency is towards a better distribution of crops and 

 to higher iirices and greater profits. 



