REPORT OF THE STATISTICIAN. 



419 



lu serine there has been a small increase in the record, duo rather to 

 a better enumeration of the stock of the rapidly developing regions of 

 the Missouri Valley than to actual increase. In most of the older States 

 there is noticed a small reduction ; for two years past the supply j^er 

 capita is less than formerly. The reduction in values, to which the 

 falling olf in exports contributes, tends somewhat to this decline in 

 numbers. 



The aggregate number of farDi animals, compared with last year, is 

 thus shown : 



stock. 



1885. 



18S6. 



Increase or 



decrease. 



norses 



Slules , 



Mikli co'WH 



Oxeii and nthor cattle 



Sheep 



Svvine 



11, 564, 572 

 1,972,569 

 13, 904, 722 

 29, 8CC, 573 

 50, 360, 243 

 45, 142, 057 



12, 077, G57 

 2, 052, 593 

 14, 235, 388 

 31, 275, 242 

 48, 322, 331 

 40, 092, 0-13 



+513, 085 

 +80, 024 



+330, 666 

 +1,408,663 

 —2, 037, 912 



+949, 380 



VALUES. 



The decline in horses, mules, and cattle has been in progress two 

 years. In sheep and swine it was noticed in the J[anuary icport of 1884. 

 The extent of the reduction is greater in this return than in that of a 

 year ago. It averages only about 3 per cent, in horses and mules. It 

 is about 8 per cent, in cattle, 11 per cent, in sheep, and 15 per cent, in 

 swine. The comparison with last year is thus shown: 



Last year the aggregate decline in total values was small ; the pres- 

 ent valuation is 801,266,121 less than last year, notwithstanding in- 

 crease in numbers of horses and cattle. The grand aggregate is 

 $2,365,159,862, against $2,456,425,983 a year ago, showiug a reduced 

 valuation of nearly 4 per cent. There is a small aggregate gain, how- 

 ever, in horses and mules. The reduction in values of milch cows 

 amounts to $22,017,570 ; $32,426,639 in all other cattle ; $15,516,783 in 

 sheep, and $20,831,789 in swine. 



The tabular statement is as follows : • 



stock. 



1885. 



Incro.186 or 

 decrease. 



TlofHoa 



Males 



Milcli co\r8 



Oxen and oilier cattle . 



Sheep 



Swiue 



$852, 282, 947 

 102, 494, 697 

 412, 903, 093 

 694, 382, 913 

 107, 960, 650 

 226, 401, 083 



$860, 823, 208 

 163,381,096 

 389, OS.";, 523 

 061,950,274 

 92, 443, 867 

 196, 569, 894 



+ $8,540,261 

 -H 886, 399 

 —22, 917, 570 

 —32, 420, 639 

 —15, 516, 783 

 —29, 831, 789 



Total ! 2,456,425,983 



2, 365, 159, 862 



—91, 206, 121 



While numbers have increased, except of sheep, in two years past 

 the aggregate valuation of farm animals is less by something over 

 $100,000,000. It is not improbable, from present indications, that some 



