34 



favorable to grass-growing tliau corn-raising, and for this reason is tlie fattening 

 district of much of the west. The fat cattle sent to market by it is not all of 

 its own raising, but a large portion of Indiana cattle are fattened in Illinois. 

 This is seen from the census returns. In 1860, Illinois had of" other cattle" — 

 .that is, those that were neither working oxen nor milch cows — 881,877, and In- 

 diana 582,990, being 51 per cent, greater, whilst it sends from six to eight 

 times as many fat cattle to the eastern markets. Although Illinois produces 

 so much corn, yet it raises a less number of hogs than Indiana, because 

 prairies are less favorable for them than woodlands. These facts are necessary 

 to an understanding of the cattle representation that Illinois has in the New 

 York market. 



POKK-PACKING IN THR WEST, 



The Cincinnati Price-Currents of January 6 and 27 give nearly complete re- 

 turns of the pork packed in the west the present season. As the returns are 

 not yet complete, we do not wish to report them as fully as we will do when all 

 are received. 



The latest returns are as follows : 



Number of hogs packed in 1862-1863 3, 449, 240 



Number of hogs packed in 1863-1864 2, 465, 407 



Difference 984, 833 



This is a great falling off, and there will be a greatly decreased weight also. 

 In numbers it is almost forty per cent, below those of 1862-63. In weight it 

 will not be far from 15 per cent. 



In the Octob'er report of this Department, an estimate was made of the pro- 

 bable decrease in the number of hogs for the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 

 and Michigan, four of the principal hog-producing States. This estimate we 

 were aware would put to a severe test, as to reliability, the general estimates of 

 the crops made in these reports. Although we had not made this estimate 

 either with the data or great care bestowed on those of the cereal crops, yet the 

 result is gratifying to us, as doubtless it will be to our correspondents, upon 

 whose returns chiefly the estimate was made. 



In that estimate the deficiency in numbers in these States was placed at 

 806,139 head ; a number close to the proportion of the whole number and loss 

 of corn. It is expected that a fuller statement can be given in the next bi- 

 monthly report. 



RELATION BETWEEN THE DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS AND RAILROAD FREIGHTS 



The following letter is interesting as showing the utility of this Department 

 in distributing seeds, especially when the productions of the country change 

 from various causes. It is the duty of the Department to foresee such changes, 

 and provide for them. It is interesting also because it exhibits the necessity of 

 railroads to agriculture, and the almost providential construction of these just 

 prior to the rebellion, and thus opening loyal communication between the west 

 and the east, and without which agriculture and commerce must have been 

 paralyzed. 



Mr. W. H, Osborn, president of the Illinois Central railroad, writes as 

 follows : 



Office of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, 



New York, January 30, 1864. 

 Dear Sir: You did me the favor last year to send me a large package of 

 tobacco seed, which Avas carefully distributed in southern Illinois. I am sorry 



