28 THE WESTERN FARMER 



APPENDIX. 



In order to ensure all possible accuracy in the estimate ot 

 the yearly expenditure of the American farmers and their 

 families, the writer printed and distributed among those 

 persons whom he deemed most competent to judge, fifty 

 copies of the following memorandum : — 



''ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE IN AMERICA. 



" It would greatly assist the undersigned in the comple- 

 tion of a little work on which he is engaged, if you would 

 kindly give him the best estimate in your power in relation 

 to the following subject. 



"By the census of 1870 there were in the United 

 States of America, out of a population of 38,600,000, a 

 total of 12,506,000 persons engaged in various occupa- 

 tions. Of these 5,922,000 were engaged in agriculture, 

 which number has by this time (18S0) increased to at least 

 7,000,000. 



"■An estimate is 7va?ited of the average annual expendi- 

 ture of each of these 7,000,000 persons (most of whom have 

 families) on all articles of consumption, except eatables and 

 drinkables. Those articles would comprise ever}' description 

 of clothing, household ware, tools, agricultural implements, 

 railway conveyance, &c. &c. 



" Of course, strict accuracy is unattainable, and all cal- 

 culations must necessarily be conjectural and approximative. 



"It may be noted — 



" I. That by 'agriculturists' are meant, not only the 

 cereal farmers, but the producers of all articles 



