6 
present season. The Western States all return higher prices than last 
year. The following figures for old hogs will represent the general ten- 
dency of prices in the several sections, and for further comparison ref- 
erence is made to the table: 
By Ba a 
nN ro @a 
en a =I gS os E-| 
Year. = BS = 3 A = S : a 
ES E = = Be a 5 2 Zz 
o o e = fa Q- ‘S E 3 
A A a <q 4 4 4 a 2) 
1876.2. 5222 Ph SSS eis ee Bete $27 25 | $20 50 | $10 27 $6 07 $6 10 | $10 19 | $13 33 | $13 75 | $14 92 
ETO eee le a eae ais melee 24 00 18 75 9 73 5 81 4 46 8 67 9 30 3 6 67 
A few extracts from remarks of correspondents are appended: 
Matne.—Cumberland: Milch-cows have increased in numbers on account of increased 
interest in dairying. Piscataquis: Great scarcity of money has made a complete stag- 
nation in sales of stock of all kinds. 
CONNECTICUT.—New London: The number of cattle is less than a year ago, as the 
farmers are working all they can into beef, to save hay. 
New Yorxk.—E£rie: Thenumber of hogs has not varied much more for two or three 
years, but within that time their average weight has increased at least 30 per cent. ; 
mostly by the introduction of Chester Whites. Western hogs are so liable to sicken 
and die, that they are growing into disfavor. Delaware: The short hay-crop caused 
the sale of nearly all the calves, and all animals fit for beef are slaughtered. Sullivan: 
The percentage of cattle reduced by scarcity of hay. 
PENNSYLVANIA.— Beaver: The decrease in milch-cows is owing to the fact that farm- 
ers are quitting the shipping of milk to the cities. Chester: There is an increase in 
the number of horses and cows, the latter being usually bought from other sections ; 
but fewer cattle are raised and there is a marked decrease in the number of oxen and 
other cattle. Washington: Few colts raised the last three or four years, and fewer this 
year than ever. Hogs are scarce and high. Bedford: Mules are being brought from 
Kentucky to take the place of horses on farms and manufactories. Many of our feed- 
ing-cattle are brought from the western markets, and 60 per cent. of the calves dropped 
go to the market before they are one month old. Butler: A plenty of good horses for 
all purposes for sale at low prices. As the country is becoming more settled, and the 
farms becoming better, sheep-raising does not pay so well, and consequently is de- 
creasing. Hogs were never so scarce. Elk: Prices for stock are nominal, except for 
beef and hogs, which are in good demand. Tioga: Mules for the coal-mines are nearly 
all brought from New York State. rie: Milch-cows have increased. Cheese-factories 
have sprang up in almost every town. 
MARYLAND.—Montgomery: Hogs are scarce. Thrifty pigs, four weeks old, readily 
bring $2. Prince Georges: We are raising more sheep than formerly, and there is an 
increase of interest in raising hogs. Frederick: Sheep-husbandry not increasing in 
respect to numbers rapidly, but improving in stock, principally long wool. Hegs 
rather scarce; no surplus. Baltimore: First-class horses in demand. Milch-cows in 
good demand and selling briskly. 
VIRGINIA.—Prince George: The absence of fences prevents the increase of stock. 
The number on each farm is very limited. Dinwiddie; Raising more colts than usual ; 
also raising more hogs for pork. The dairy business is growing in favor, and sheep- 
raising is on the increase. Fauquier: No calves raised except occasionally one for a 
breeder ; all dropped being sent to market as veals. We buy sheep brought from the 
‘West, in the fall, winter and shear them ; then sell both the old stock and the lambs and 
buy again. Halifax: The stock of hogs is smaller than for years; many have died of 
cholera, and some of measles and quinsy. Cumberland: The increase in the number 
of oxen is owing to the fact that the colored people, having with their labor purchased 
small tracts of land, are raising them for work. Powhatan: Farm-stock has been 
gradually increasing for several years. More attention is given to the raising of mules 
and horses than in any year since 1860. Many farmers have come to the wise conclu- 
sion that it is better to raise their stock of mules and horses than to trust to the 
machinations of horse-traders. Nearly every farmer of any note has also raised bacon 
enough for next year’s consumption. Sussex: The fences were all destroyed during 
the war, and the utter impossibility of yet replacing them is the principal cause of the 
falling off in milch-cows. Chesterfield: The number of horses is kept up by new set- 
tlers Bont the North and West. Mules are chiefly used by the old residents, being con- 
sidered more durable and valuable. Milch-cows are increasing in numbers and im- 
portance, as we improve our lands and increase the growth of grass and clover. There 
is a decided disposition to improve the quality of sheep. Two of my neighbors, north- 
ern settlers, have recently purchased one hundred and fifty and placed them on poor 
