Observations on Tasmanian Statistics. S9 



250, of whom it is said that 215 are supposed to be in- 

 curable, viz. 150 males and 65 females. Compared with 

 the population, it gives 0'38 per cent., or as one lunatic to 

 every 263 persons. 



Tables 33 to 37 are four important returns from the 

 Chief Police Magistrate, bearing upon the industrial re- 

 sources of the colony in respect to its agriculture, its 

 trade, and manufactures. 



The number of acres in crop, the nature of the crop, 

 and the produce, are given in the first of these tables ; and an 

 examination of its figures fully confirms the preceding 

 remarks as to the falling off in production caused by the 

 abstraction of labour to the gold-fields. In 1850 the total 

 number of acres in cultivation was 168,820 ; in 1851 there 

 were 151,846, or a decrease of 10 percent. ; in 1852, 123,983f 

 or 18 per cent, decrease; and in 1853, 116,446f or a 

 further decrease of 6 per cent. 



Further analysis, and comparison of the year 1850 

 with 1853, will show the extent and nature of this 

 decline of agriculture caused by the dearth of labour. 

 In 1850 the acres of wheat in cultivation were 64,650 : 

 in 1853 there were only 44,123, or 3 TV per cent, 

 decrease, — diminishing the supply of wheat by more 

 than a quarter of a million of bushels, and about 4000 tons 

 of hay. In 1850, 43,180 acres of barley were in cultiva- 

 tion; in 1853, there were 11,782, or 10-6 per cent. less. 

 In 1850, 35,243 acres of oats : in 1853, 31,052, or 11-8 

 per cent. less. The yield of this year is set down at about 

 half a million of bushels of oats, and nearly 20,000 tons of 

 hay. The crop of peas have declined one half, from 981 

 acres to 405 ; and of beans remain nearly the same, from 95 

 acres to 90j. In 1850 there were 6646 acres of potatoes in 

 crop : in 1853, 5530 acres, or 16-7 per cent, less,— the yield 



