36 



THE TABLES OF STOCK FOR JAxMUARY, 1864. 



At this time it is unnecessaiy to dwell on the tables of farm stock Avhich are 

 published in this report, for in the next one very full and complete tables, show- ' 

 ing the number of each kind of stock, and of diffei-ent ages, their increase in 

 value, and the total value of all, will be presented. It was impossible to esti- 

 mate them in time for this report, for great care and much labor are required in 

 preparing such tables. 



The figures show the tenths increase or decrease, from the years stated in the 

 questions. The number 10 represents the stock of these years, and the increase 

 or decrease is in tenths above or below that number. The middle columns, 

 under the heads of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep, show the proportion of 

 these to the whole number; and being most generally three, it shows that the 

 young stock is three-tcntlis of all. The third columns of prices are from two to 

 nine-tenths above the prices of 1861 — that is, from twenty to ninety per cent, 

 increase. 



The returns from our correspondents, from which the tables in this repoit are 

 compiled, are far more satisfactory than was anticipated from the difficulty in 

 answering the questions proposed, and being the first asked them relative to the 

 stock of the farm. The necei^ity of such correspondents to the objects of this 

 Department is an absolute one, and too high an estimate of the value of theij 

 services cannot be made. 



