CHAPTER XII. 



AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS. 



SINCE the last edition of this work appeared, we The bar- 



vest of 

 have had in the harvest of 1879 the worst crop 1879 the 



worst in 



in the memory of the present generation of modern 



experi- 



farmers. The wheat crop of 1853 was perhaps 

 less in bulk per acre ; but it was better in 

 quality, and the extent was one fourth greater. 

 After deducting seed, it yielded one-half more 

 food than that of 1879, a l ar g e proportion of 

 which was unfit for bread. The importations of 

 1853-4 were six million quarters, and the 

 average price 725. The population was six 

 millions less than at present, but the quantity 

 available for consumption was only 4j bushels 

 per head. It has never since fallen so low. 

 After the abundant crop of 1868, when the 

 population was three millions greater than in 

 1853, there was over six bushels per head, and 

 the price had fallen to 483. With the excep- 

 tion of 1870 and 1874, the history of the home 



