132 INTRODUCTION. 
circulation; and though they contain many theories which have yet to undergo 
the test of more accurate investigation, they have already opened to our citizens 
a new and most interesting department of science. The district school library 
has afforded facilities for introducing our farmers, in every school district in the 
state, to an intimate acquaintance with all that is valuable in these works. 
An opinion generally prevails that production is altogether greater in Great 
Britain than here, in proportion to the quantity of improved land, and to population. 
The number of improved acres of land in the state of New-York is ten millions ; 
in Great Britain, ninety-eight millions. This state annually produces thirty-nine 
millions of bushels of wheat, barley, oats and rye. Great Britain produces two 
hundred and sixty-two millions. New-York produces two millions of cattle, and 
five millions three hundred and eighty-one thousand sheep. Great Britain pro- 
duces ten millions of cattle, and forty-four millions of sheep. It thus appears 
that New-York is more productive in proportion to the quantity of improved 
land, than Great Britain. The comparison, however, would not hold good if 
instituted with the strictly agricultural districts of England. The United States 
produces an average of eighteen and a half bushels of grain for each person, 
while Great Britain produces in the proportion of twelve bushels for each person. 
But it must be remembered, that in addition to the grains which have been 
already mentioned, and which are common to both countries, the United States 
has a bread crop consisting of four hundred millions of bushels of indian corn, of 
which the state of New-York produces eleven and a half millions, while Great 
Britain has no corresponding crop adapted to human sustenance. The United 
States produces twenty-one millions of swine, a larger number than is to be found 
in all Europe. Of these, two millions are produced in this state ; and this compared 
with similar productions in Great Britain, increases the proportion of this state 
in productions adapted to human sustenance. It may be useful to place on record 
for future reference, as well as to excite attention to the importance of agricul- 
tural statistics, an account of the annual productions of the state as derived from 
