INTRODUCTION. 17 



the returns of 1860, was 105,875,135 pounds, being 340,000 

 pounds more than in 1850. These are dairy farm products, to 

 say nothing of the large amount of butter and cheese made for 

 immediate consumption in private families, of which no accurate 

 returns were made. Then, again, is the great consumption of 

 milk in the cities, market towns, and villages of the United 

 States, for which no returns can be found, and even an approxi- 

 mation in quantity cannot be accurately made. 



The value of the butter and cheese, at present prices, may be 

 estimated at something like this : 



Butter, 460,500,000 pounds, at 25 cents, 



home value $115,112,500 



Cheese, 105,875,000 pounds, at 15 cents, 



home value, . ... 15,881,250 



$130,993,750 



Making, say, $131,000,000 for these two articles. Of cheese, 

 about 15,000,000 pounds were then exported abroad, and the 

 amount has since largely increased all, chiefly the produce of 

 the Northern States. The value of hides and tallow may be 



"If we value all the beeves at the estimated average price of 15)c. per Ib. for the net 

 weight of meat, and rate them at only 7& cwt. each, it will make the enormous 

 sum of thirty-three millions two hundred and twenty-three thousand seven hun- 

 dred and twenty-three dollars and twelve cents ($33,223,723.12.)" 



At the prices above stated, the beef animals would average $116.50 each, from 

 which the expenses of taking them from the farm to market must be deducted, 

 averaging $15 to $35 each, according to the distance which they are transported. 



