4 Transactions of the Canadian Institute. [vol. x 



after some years of great commercial activity, so it is roughly not from 

 1870, but from 1880 that the present great invasion of these shores may 

 be dated by Americans. 



Immigration into U. S. in Decennial Periods. 



Period of Years. Number of Immigrants. 



1871-1880 2,812,891. 



1881-1890 5,246,613. 



1891-1900 3,687,564. 



1901-1910 8,500,000.* 



During those years the government of the United States pursued 

 a policy of high protection. This was partly forced on them by the need 

 of revenue after the war: in part it was a deliberate attempt to build up 

 the cities and urban industries. If we take as our unit of city life that 

 which has 25,000 inhabitants, we find a curious parallel with the statistics 

 of immigration. 



U. S. A. Percentage Ratio of Urban to Total Population. 



In 1870, 15% of the population lived in cities of 25,000 and more 



inhabitants. 

 In 1880, 19.8% of the population lived in cities of 25,000 and more 



inhabitants. 

 In 1890, 23.6% of the population lived in cities of 25,000 and more 



inhabitants. 

 In 1900, 25.9% of the population lived in cities of 25,000 and more 



inhabitants. 

 In 191 o, 31.1% of the population lived in cities of 25,000 and more 



inhabitants. 



How far this was due to the tariff, and how far to natural causes, 

 we do not know. It is one of the counts against Economic Science, 

 that while it claims that it produces results, it seldom or never produces 

 quantitative results. So in this case. The growth of agriculture in the 

 Middle West and West and in the South must in any event have led 

 to the growth of cities for the supply of the farmer's immediate wants 

 and for his amusement; just as Edmonton and Calgary, Saskatoon and 

 Regina have sprung up on our prairies, in spite of Eastern competition. 

 How fast they would have grown we do not know, and so we cannot 

 speculate on the debt owed by the modern cities of America to the pro- 



*Since the census of 1900 was taken as of June isl, and that of 19 10 as of April 15th, 

 this last figure can only be given as an estimate. 



