iiig the last tliree years, thougli the prices of ajiriciiltural and nearly all 

 other products have declined materially. The agricultual laborer 

 can now obtain nearly two bushels of wheat for the labor which would 

 pay for one bushel at the close of 38G6. In many branches of farm cul- 

 ture the cost of labor seems disproportionate to the cash value of its 

 product, aud the remuneratiou of the employed better than that of the 

 employer. A further reductiou may be expected as the finances of the 

 country reach a specie basis. 



The average rate of wages for all farm laborers, as established by 

 these returns, is $25 13 ; with board, $15 88. A little less is paid to 

 laborers boarding themselves than in 18GG, and a little more to those 

 who are boarded, the difference representing board being $9 25 again st 

 $10 50 in 1806. 



The following is a statement of average wages for the different sec- 

 tions of the country, as compared with 1866 : 



Prices liave increased in the South on account of the profits of cotton 

 culture in the last few years, and have been fully maintained in California, 

 by means of the introduction of new j)roducts, and of the large yields of 

 wheat. The eastern and middle States have nearly maintained the old 

 prices; while the western, confined mainly to the pursuits of agriculture, 

 and dependent upon the profits of such labor, have soonest felt the effects 

 of a decline in the value of farm products. 



The central belt of States on the parallel of 10°, including the great 

 States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, has suffered 

 some decline in the rate of wages, though in unequal degrees. Iowa, 

 with settlements and improvements rapidly progressing, very nearly 

 maintains the high rate of 1866. Illinois, enriched by cattle-farming, 

 and pork lu'oduction, stands next upon the list. Pennsylvania, aided 

 by its greater variety of industries, including manufactures, shows about 

 the same reduction as Illinois: while in Indiana and Ohio, where the crop 

 of wheat was so reduced b}' winterkilling in 1866, and the corn by 

 drought in 1867, a greater decline in wages is naturally shown. 



The following is a statement of the present average rate of wages in 

 these States: 



The effect of reliance upon a single crop is well illustrated by the re- 

 turns from Minnesota, a State which, though young and sparsely settled 

 as yet, is more completely occupied with wheat culture than any other. 

 A comparison is given with Iowa, the leading crop of which is wheat, 



