Variation in iJie Price and Supply of Wheat. 251 
Trade and Commerce. — The increase in trade at Baltimore during the past 
year was, in a great measure, owing to the facts that the evil effects of the 
late war had partly been overcome, and because communication with the South 
and West having been uninterrupted, the receipts of produce from those sec- 
tions were greater, while, in return, they took larger supplies of imported goods 
from here ; also because the political sympathies betwecu a large number of 
the people in Maryland and of those of the Soutli attracted a considerable ti'ade 
from that quarter ; a trade greatly developed by the establishment of steam 
communication with New Orleans via Uavanna, with Charleston, Savanna, and 
Wilmington, by which means large quantities of grain and other merchandise 
were shipped ^ the South, and cotton, naval stores, &c., received in return. 
There is good ground to believe that this trade will prove most successful, 
because as the elfects of the abolition of slavery are recovered from, the cost 
of produce (grain, tobacco, &c.) will be reduced, while, on the other hand, the 
demand for Southern produce in this market will increase by the growing 
requirements of manufacturers, and through the increased traffic with Europe 
by direct steam communication. 
Two classes of trade have been seriously affected by the war ; that with 
the British West Indies, diverted during that period to New York, has not 
been recovered ; and that witli the continent of Europe, based mainly on 
the trade in tobacco grown in Maryland, has been greatly contracted in con- 
sequence of the reduction in cultivation of tobacco by the change in the labour 
system. 
Wlieat. — The crops in Maryland and neighbouring States during the last 
three years have been but jjartial, and the harvest of 1866 proved the 
smallest of these yeai's, obliging millers to have recourse to western spring 
wheat. 
Indian Corn. — The crop of 1865 was the largest known for many years ; 
that of 1866, only gathered late in the year, is generally estimated still larger, 
and of very fine quality. 
Guano. — A heavy increase in imports of this article took place, and it 
appears probable that still larger quantities will in future be required here. 
Eleven cargoes have arrived from the Chincha Islands with upwards of 13,000 
tons, and 20 cargoes from Navassa with 7000 tons. The Peruvian guano sold 
at 60 dollars (gold) per ton, and was chiefly taken by the Southern States. 
The Navassa guano was sold cheaper, and remained in Maryland. 
MAINE, 1862. — Not enough wheat or other corn grown for consumption ; it 
is procured from Canada and the Western States. 
1863. — The flour which was formerly supplied to this State and its sea- 
board towns from Boston and New York is now obtained more cheaply from 
New Hampshire and the British Provinces. 
PORTLAND, MAINE. Eeport for 1866. — Communication with the 
West and with the great produce trade of the Lake Cities by the Grand Trunk 
Eailway. The general and extensive export trade at this city has been 
checked by the high rate of wages and outfits, the enormous expenses at 
Southern ports, the high rates of insurance, and the cost of building a ship, 
which is from 50 to 75 per cent, more than before the war, in consequence of 
the heavy tax l^aid to the Government in the shape of duty on materials. 
The lumber trade is very great, and as immense quantities of lumber are 
required from Canada and the British Provinces to build houses for the rapidly 
increasing population of the city and State, the Board of Trade of Portland 
petitioned Congress against the abrogation of the Eecijirocity Treaty of 1854, 
which admitted lumber from Canada free of duty. Portland is the natural 
entrepot of Canada for six months in the year. It is one of the great highways 
connecting the producing territories of the gi-eat West with the Atlantic sea- 
board. 
