184 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



the British markets. Prices ruled low duriug 187G. Superfine opened at 

 $4 to 84.37^ on the 1st of January, fell to $3.25 to 83.50 June 1, but ral- 

 lied gradually to 83.50 to 84 December 1 ; Pennsylvania extra to choice 

 ranged from 83.75 to $0.25 in August and September to $4.50 to $6.75 in 

 January; western extra to choice from $4.25 to $G.G0 in March to $5.25 

 to $8 in June. 



^yheat. — The receipts of wheat fell off considerably, being 4,485,000 

 bushels in 187G, against 5,550,800 bushels in 1875. The decline is attrib- 

 uted to the smaller number of direct orders from Europe. The quality 

 of the receipts was mostly very good, the bulk being Penusylvauia and 

 southern red and amber, which are great favorites with Philadelphia 

 millers. Western red winter Xo. 1 and l^o. 2 were also received in con- 

 siderable quantities and of superior qualitj\ The western wheat trade 

 has greatly increased of late years. Sirring- wheat seems to be but little 

 known in the market, from the fact that no quotations of prices are 

 extant. Winter red ranged 80.70 ® $1.17 in August to $1.15 'S) $1.42 in 

 June; amber, from $1.18® $1.22^ in August to $1.50® 1.55 in Mayj 

 white, from $1.20 ® $1.30 in August to $1.50 © 81.58 in April. 



Corn. — The receipts of corn rose from 7,130,000 bushels in 1875 to 

 20,261,075 bushels in 1876, and that grain now stands at the head of the 

 cereal products marketed at Philadelphia. With short supplies of wheat 

 in the Old World in several years past, the use of corn as human aliment 

 has become more general. The exports amounted to 16,790,091 bushels, 

 valued at $10,448,938, or nearly one-fifth of the aggregate value of the 

 total foreign exports of the city. The exports from Philadelphia are 

 mostly to the United Kingdom, but an increasing amount is annually 

 shipped to Portugal and<to Northern Europe. Italy used to import o.lcohoI 

 from the United States, but lately she has found it cheaper to import our 

 corn and distil the spirit upon her own soil. Philadelphia has prof- 

 ited by this new trade movement. Prices were steady during the year, 

 ranging from 51 ® 57 cents per bushel in September to 56 ® 68 cents in 

 January. Of corn-meal the export amounted to 25,510 barrels, valued 

 at 881,090, against 26,367 barrels, valued at $108,956, in 1875. 



Oats. — The receipts of oats also showed a great increase, amounting to 

 4,484,000 bushels, against 3,820,400 bushels in 1875. Prices took a wide 

 range, opening January 1 at 43® 50 cents per bushel, and gradually fall- 

 ing to 28® 41 cents December 1. The exports amounted to 861,170 

 bushels, valued at $355,783 ; in 1875 the export was only 33,800 bushels, 

 valued at $22,104. This is one of the numerous facts illustrating the 

 success of the late efforts of the business men of Philadelphia to secure 

 a larger portion of the cereal trade of the country. The oats crop of 

 1S7G, from which the exports of the latter part of the year are mostly 

 derived, was about 10 i)er cent, short of the crop of 1875; yet in spite 

 of the shortened domestic supply, Philadelphia increased her export 

 tAxenty-six fold. 



lil/v. — The receipts of rye also show an enormous rate of increase, 

 I isiug from 187,550 bushels in 1875, to 079,100 bushels in 1870. The ex- 

 l»orts were 431,223 bushels, valued at $345,867. The exports of rye in 

 JS75 were too insignificant for even an official record. The exports of 

 rye-flour amounted to 766 barrels, valued at $3,80,4, against 543 barrels, 

 valued at $2,91,7, in 1875. Rye opened at 88 ® 90 cents January 1, rose 

 to $1.25®$1.50 in May, and fell to 08®75 cents in November. 



Barley. — The receipts of barley were 1,329,200 bushels in 1876, against 

 1,652,700 bushels in 1875. The exports of both years were too small to 

 attract attention. All the barley brought to this market is for brewing, 

 and hence the best qualities are in constant request, the receipts being 



