206 



markets for horses is applicable to those for this stock ; and hence the farmer 

 who adheres to mule-raising will not regret his determination." 



After showing statistics which pointed to a favorable future market for cattle, 

 we said: "All these statistics admonish our farmers not to neglect cattle-rais- 

 ing." 



As to cows, after exhibiting like statistics, we added : " Surely in all these 

 statistics our farmers must see that too much attention cannot be given to an in- 

 crease of cows, and to butter and cheese manufacture." 



Of hogs we pursued a like course, deducing from the statistics given this in- 

 ference : " With the return of our usual corn crops, therefore, our farmers need 

 not hesitate in giving more than usual attention to hog-raising." 



Although in the same article we said, as to the increase of sheep, that no 

 change in our agriculture was so gratifying as this increase, yet because we then 

 warned the farmer not to neglect horses, mules, cattle and cows, we were de- 

 nounced as hostile to sheep culture, because we could not overlook the future 

 importance of sustaining the numbers of these other live stock. 



Now, whilst laying the foregoing tables of the numbers and values of the 

 live stock before tlie public, we are amply rewarded in the facts which they pre- 

 sent for these short-sighted criticisms. This department holds a position from 

 which it can view the entire agriculture of the Union, great and diversified as 

 it is, and foresee the future ; and foreseeing it, it is its duty to timely counsel 

 every farmer. Two years ago it discharged this duty,' with what correctness 

 these tables now answer. 



Table Xo. 5 shows that there has been an increase from 1860 to 1866 (Feb.) 

 of 12,955,154 only. Sheep alone in these years have increased 17,162,715. 

 There has, therefore, been a decrease in other stock; a decrease, indeed, in all 

 others, except a slight increase in the number of cows. The causes for this are 

 obvious enough — the civil war, and the loss of the corn crop of 1863. The first 

 rapidly consumed horses, mules and beef cattle; the last cut short the hog crop. 

 The wants of the country for clothing material gave a great impetus to wool- 

 growing. 



To determine fully the effects of these causes we must not only regard the loss 

 and gain as the comparison between 1860 and 1866 shows, but what the gene 

 ral increase in all probability would have been, if the civil war had not existed. 

 In order to show this probable increase the following table is compiled : 



Table of live stock in 1850 and 1860. 



1850. 



Hor.se.s 



Mules 



Cattle and oxen 



Cows 



frheep 



Hoffs 



2, 885, 654 

 143, 4U6 



10,152 666 



10,759,894 

 14,537,722 



1860. 



4,200,141 

 301,609 

 (7,541,145 

 \ 5, 726, 964 

 15,478,716 

 16, 533, 082 



Increase in ten 

 years. 



1,314,487 

 158, 203 



\ 3,115,453 



Decrease in ten 

 years. 



1, 995, 360 



1,281,178 



If this increase and decrease had continued from 1860 to 1866 — and we see 

 no reason why it should not, except as to hogs, but for the war — then by assum- 

 ing the one-half of this increase and decrease, hogs excepted, as exhibiting that 

 which peace would have given, the following table "vrill show what the compari- 

 son would have been between 1860 and 1866: 



