J 8 Ohservations on Tasmanian Statistics. 



grain imported cannot be stated with precision, as the inde- 

 finite term " package " is much used in this return without 

 the meaus of attaching to it its precise weight or measure. 



The return of the export of grain and potatoes strikingly 

 shows the highly remunerative character of this branch of 

 our commerce, and the active stimulus that the golden 

 market of Victoria imparted to agricultural industry : for 

 while there has been an actual decrease in the quantity 

 exported as compared with preceding years, with the excep- 

 tion of potatoes, which has doubled, the value of these ex- 

 ports has nearly trebled. In 1849, when there was shipped 

 296,236 bushels of wheat, 112,164 bushels of oats, 4172 

 tons of flour, and 3003 tons of potatoes, the total value 

 was £ 114,635 ; but in 1853, when there was shipped only 

 20,673 bushels of wheat, 144,028 bushels of oats, 4801 

 tons of flour, and 6783 tons of potatoes, the value was 

 £315,153, or 200 per cent, increase. 



Agriculture, it will thus be seen, like every other branch 

 of industry, has shared in the general stimulus imparted ; 

 but, from the circumstance of farm labourers, as might be 

 expected, having been attracted to the gold-diggings, the 

 produce has been diminished, and the exports reduced, in 

 1853, to one-seventh of what they were in 1851, and to a 

 little more than a tenth of what they were in 1850 — potatoes 

 only excepted. The value of our exports of breadstulFs 

 being, on the contrary, in 1853 three times what they were 

 in 1850, depends chiefly upon the enormous rise in price — 

 which, doubtless, would have ruled higher still but for 

 supplies from America and Europe in even larger quantities 

 than the market required, — insomuch that it not only indi- 

 rectly acted there in lowering our prices, but directly in 

 being re-exported and sold in our own market. 



During the three years of the gold-fields, the average export 



