394 



REPORT OF THE COMillSSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



eries of science will pay at all. If the annual agricultural production 

 of India is worth but $8 for each inhabitant, while that of the United 

 States is worth $G1, we may claim some progress in skilled husbandry; 

 but the goal of iierfection is still far ahead. 



Among the results due to applied science in the worlc of agriculture 

 the following are iirominent : 



(1) Fertility is increased : the rate of yield is greatly enlarged ; labor 

 is lightened ; the laborer is less a " beast of burden " and more a master 

 of machiuer}-. (2) The margin of profit is increased, or rather, one ap- 

 pears where none before existed. (3) Production is equalized — there arc 

 fewer gluts of certain products, and greater variety iu i;>roduction. (4) 

 Blasters of primitive agriculture are partially averted — drought by 

 deep and thorough culture, excessive rainfall by drainage ; insects are 

 less nuincrnus with rotation, and their injuries are outgrown by vigor 

 of vitality and strength of growth; blights and other maladies of vege- 

 table physiology are avoided by amelioration of the soil and cultivation 

 in harmony with the conditions of healthful growth. 



Finally, by application of the discoveries of science, the farmer unites 

 brain with brawn in rural production, labor loses its drudgery and ac- 

 quires effectiveness, the profit and pleasure of agriculture are advanced, 

 the public w^ealth and welfare are promoted, and a country life, what- 

 ever its previous charms, is far better worth the living. 



. TEAis^SPOETATION EATES. 



The rates of transportation given are the regularly authorized rates, 

 as reported by the companies. The special rates, the cut rates, and 

 discriminations to individuals, whenever and wherever made, are un- 

 reported and inaccessible. It is a matter of public knowledge that 

 such modiiications of the tariff are sometimes made. Their extent and 

 influence cannot be determined with any approach to accuracy. 



[In cents per 100 pounds.] 



Table L- 



-Changes in the rates of freight tipon grain from Chicago to Xeic York from 

 137G to 1885. inclusive. 



Date. 



187G. 

 January 1... 



March? 



AprUlS .... 



April 26 



May 5 



ni'ceialier 18 



1877. 

 January 1... 

 J:ijiiiarv2... 



A prill;' 



Soptciaber 4 

 October 17.. 



1878. 

 January 1... 

 March 11 ... 



April 1 



May 17 



August 5 ... 



Date. 



August 17 



November 25. 



1879. 

 January 1.... 

 February 1 .. 



March 1 



April 1 



yCayl 



June 9 



Juno 22 



August 4 



August 25 



October 13... 

 November 10. 



1880. 



January 1 



March 1 



April 14 



November 27 



Date. 



1881. 



January 1 



February 1... 



March 1 



April 1 



April 11 



April 18 



Juno 8 



Juiie 15 



September 20 

 October 10 . . . 

 November 1.. 

 December 9.. 



1882. 



January 1 



January 28... 



March 25 



December 1.. 



F4 II 



Date. 



1S83. 

 Jannarv 1 . . . 



April lb 



November 26 



1884. 

 January 1 . . . 

 January 5 — 

 January 14.. 



March 14 



M.arch21 



June 24 , 



July21 



1885. 



January 1 



April 1 



Julyl 



August 1 



December 1., 



NOTB.— The rates for 1885 are those reported by the trunk lines on the first day of each month. 



