38 



AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



that Iiogs in conianement are the ones attacked, and instances of recovery 

 have occurred when they are allowed free range. It is frequently stated 

 that these losses are a great discouragement to swiue-raising. The 

 business has been nearly broken up by this cause in Jefferson County, 

 Tennessee, the stock of hogs being less tban five thousand, while the 

 numbers some years ago reached seventy thousand. In many places the 

 loss of young pigs reaches 20 to 30 per ceoit. ; in other instances the 

 greatest mortality is among swine of fifty to one hundred pounds ; v.iiile 

 in others, still, fat hogs are swept oft* in great numbers. The usual list 

 of remedies is given, which comprises in substance the entire inventory 

 of an apothecary shop. Prevention is what is wanted ; and it must be 

 sought in a better Icnowledge of the conditions of health, and greater 

 care to secure it. 



PBlCEtS OF PAEM-ANIMALS. 



In February of each year from 1866 to 1872, and in January of the 

 present year, an investigation of the current home prices of farm-animals 

 has been made through the statistical correspondents of this division, 

 whose estimates have been prepared with the assistance of county 

 assessors and farmers of reliable judgment. They a^re not based upon 

 valuation for purposes of taxation, (which valuation is notoriously an 

 under- valuation, representing one-third, one-half, or possibly two-thirds 

 of the real value,) but are founded upon the actual cash value in the 

 transactions of local markets. A study of these returns, and of their 

 fair expression in an average for each State, with the local circumstances 

 calculated to affect values, will satisfy the candid statistical inquirer 

 that they furnish internal evidence of substantial correctness, at least far 

 more reliable than auj^ returns of assessors" valuations, which would 

 require a dift'erent interpretation in each of the several States. 



During this i)eriod the prices of horses ruled highest in February, 

 1869. Mules were also highest at the same period, but somewhat higher 

 in the beginning of 1870, at the time when plowing commenced for the 

 great crop of cotton of that year. " Oxen and other cattle " were at 

 their maximum in 1869, and cows averaged $39.11 at the same date, but 

 were held at $39.12 in the beginning of 1870, when cows were in special 

 demand for the extension of cheese-making, though the average for other 

 cattle was that year reduced to $22.54. Siieep, in their decline from war 

 prices, reached their lowest average, $2.17, in February. 1869, showing a 

 small increase in 1870, a jump from $2.32 to $2.80 betvreen 1871 and 1872, 

 and a further increase in January, 1873, to $2.90. The following table gives 

 the averages obtained by dividing the aggregate valuation of each class 

 by the total number, the date referring to the time ot'tlie investigation — 

 February of each year to 1872, inclusive, and Jauuaiy of 1873 : 



The iieriod of maximum value of swine was that following the small 

 corn -crop of 1809, when the average home value of corn in Illinois was 

 57 cents, it having been but 43 tlie previous year, and 35 in the January 

 followinff. 



