10 



As compared with the record of last January, young horses are a little 

 higher : in the Middle States there is a decline in value of horses of all 

 ages ; throughout the South the depression is still more positive ; in 

 Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota prices of last year are well sus- 

 tained, while elsewhere in the West they are either stationary or declin- 

 ing. A few examples are given : 



The prices of mules of different ages have nearly everywhere declined. 

 They maintain their ascendency, however, in comparison with the prices 

 of horses of the same ages. 



Milch-cows command better prices on the Northern Atlantic coast, and 

 in some of the Western States. In the South they generally yield some- 

 what to the prevailing depression there. The comparison is as follows 

 in the States mentioned : 



Me. Vt, Pa. Va. Ga. Tex. Ohio. Wis. loiva. Kans. 



1874.... $39 50 p6 40 .$35 42 |22 94 $18 85 $13 33 $30 42 $26 37 $26 50 $20 65 

 1873.-.. 37^50 35 50 33 25 22 00 18 54 15 25 29 57 26 28 26 50 25 30 



The low price in Kansas results from the scarcity of corn and other 

 supplies for wintering milch-cows. 



In most of the Northern Atlantic States cattle bear somewhat higher 

 i:)rices. In South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas there is little 

 change; in other Southern States a decline, partly in consequence of 

 scarcity of money and forced sales. In the upper portion of the Ohio 

 Valley prices are well sustained ; in the region of drought, chinches, and 

 grasshoppers a decline appears. 



Prices of sheep are higher in the Eastern and Middle, on the Pacific 

 coast, and in some of the Western States, where unequal conditions of 

 production have disturbed values in this as in other departments of 

 stock-growing. 



Prices of hogs have advanced very materially. The reduction in 

 numbers, and the high i^rice of corn, have conspired to make a great 

 advance in prices, as is indicated by this example of prices of old hogs : 



N. Y. 



1874 $15 40 



1873 13 04 



A few notes from regular correspondence are given as indicative of 

 the changes in prices and their causes : 



Maine. — Piscataquis : A small increase in tbe numbers of neat stock ; but the price 

 per bead is less tban last year, owing to scarcity of money. 



Vf:RMOXT. — Orleans : Cows constitute four-iiftbs of tbe stock of this county. A few 

 farmers have a few large sheep, excellent for mutton. Caledonia : Dairymen, as a rule, 

 raising instead of buying their cows. A falling off in sheep, as butter pays better than 

 wool. Grand Isle : Milch cows are unusually high; the same of beef cattle, $7 to $9 

 per hundred, including beef, hide, and tallow. 



CONXECTICUT. — New London, : Since the distemper ceased many horses have been 

 brought here from Canada ; also many mules, oxen, and other cattle have been brought 

 from the West. 



New York. — Erie : Some farmers are getting rid of their old scrub cows, procuring 



