53 



noticed. A comparison with last year in a few of the States will illus- 

 trate the ratio of decrease. 



states. 



1872. 



1871. 



New Jersey 

 Georgia...'. 



Ohio 



Kentucky . . 



Illinois 



Texas 



$52. 30 

 38.70 

 33. 42 

 33. 39 

 28.43 

 12.43 



82.30 

 61.41 

 51.82 

 49.19 

 41.83 

 18.72 



116. 53 

 87.3tJ 



76.86 

 68.00 

 59. 90 

 30.08 



148. 57 

 113. 29 



102. 28 

 89.67 

 88.26 

 46.23 



58.50 

 40.20 

 34.70 

 36. 14 

 28.57 

 12.06 



93.07 

 63.54 

 54.00 

 52.75 

 44.60 

 18.19 



130. 53 

 92.53 



79.47 

 72.42 

 66.66 

 26. S6 



163. 21 

 129. 45 

 102.92 

 96. 35 

 93.93 

 45.52 



The rates at which horses are held in Texas are still less than in 

 any other State, but they are gradually advancing, the appreciation 

 being more noticeable in the serviceable and salable ages than in year- 

 lings or colts. The difference in values seen in the accompanying table 

 is occasioned quite as much by breed and selection for special uses, as 

 by the location with reference to the great centers of business and popu- 

 lation. 



The price of mules has declined nearly in the same proportion. As 

 compared with the record of last year, the following examples of prices 

 of animals three years old and upward, will illustrate this decline : In 

 lUinois, $114 44 to $107 95 ; in Kentuckv, $115 14 to $112 89 ; in Ten- 

 nessee, $128 to $119 12; in Georgia, $139 86 to $130; in Texas, $73 60 

 to $67 60. 



A heavy decline is recorded in the value of neat-stock. Prices are lower 

 than for seven years past, except in Texas, where appreciation is result- 

 ing from the heavy drain upon the stock-reserves made for several years 

 I^ast by the drovers. In 1869 prices of cows attained their highest 

 limit, since which date the tendency has been downward, especially 

 during the past year. An illustration of the changes during this 

 period, in different sections of the country, is presented in the following 

 table : 



Oxen and other cattle have declined in value quite heavily in the 

 Eastern States, partly as a result of the general depreciation, and obvi- 

 ously from the scarcity of hay and other feed, causing a feeling of dis- 

 couragement unfavorable to high prices. In the Middle States, cattle 

 of the age of three years and upward average about $50 ; last year 

 The ratio of decline has been small in the Soutii, where the rates 



