Finally, I desire to express my appreciation of the faithfulness and efficiency which have characterized the assistance I have received in the performance of this work from those engaged with me in the labors of this division.

Respectfully submitted.

Hon. WM. G. LE DUC,

Commissioner.

PETER COLLIER,

Chemist.

REPORT OF THE STATISTICIAN.

SIR: I have the honor to submit my report as Statistician of the Department of Agriculture.

The agricultural productions of the country, which in the year 1878 had grown to such proportions as to attract the attention of the civilized world, were exceeded by the production in 1879. The movement of population to the West and the activity of our people have rendered it almost impossible to keep fully abreast with the increase of our production, both in the cereals and live stock.

In the estimates submitted great care has been given to the compilation from the returns made by some four thousand correspondents; they comprise representatives in two-thirds the counties of the whole country, and while it is not claimed that they are exact as to the whole, it is claimed that they are for the proportion they represent, and experience yearly shows that the portions not represented hold about the same conditions of increase or decrease as those reported.

The area sown or planted in the different crops of this country has never been taken by any previous census, but I am happy to state that the omission of former investigations is to be remedied in the census to be taken in 1880, and arrangements have been made for a full and complete enumeration of the acres planted in each principal crop. With this additional light on the subject there is assured in the future a more complete and accurate estimate than was possible in the past.

THE CROPS OF 1879.

Corn.-The acreage planted in this crop was 3 per cent. more than in 1878. The spring was unfavorable in the New England States owing to cold and rainy weather; in the Southern and Western States the season at planting was favorable, but in the large corn-producing section, north of the Ohio River, the complaint of defective seed was almost universal, thus causing a large area to be replanted which was consequently late in maturing. During the summer drought prevailed to a disastrous extent in the South Atlantic States and in Louisiana and Texas; in fact the crop in the latter State was only one-half of the previous year. In all other parts of the country the summer was most propitious, particu larly so in those States bordering on the Ohio River and west of the Mississippi.

The weather in the months of September and October was rather unfavorable in the largest corn-producing States, causing an imperfect ripening of the crop and resulting in a softening of the grain, thereby rendering it unmerchantable, and even in some places unfit for domestic

uses. The out-turn of the crop, however, showed it to be the largest ever produced and was 1,547,901,000 bushels. The price as returned by the producer was for the whole country an average of 37.5 cents per bushel against 31.8 cents in 1878. The aggregate value of the crop is $580,000,000 for 1879 against $441,000,000 in 1878.

Wheat. The winter of 1878-79 was a severe one, but the injuries tc fall sown wheat were confined to the Southern States, where the cover ing of snow, so universal in the Northern States, was needed.

There was some increase in the area planted in fall sown wheat, but the great increase in the area of this crop was in those States where it is sown in the spring. The total increase of acreage was nearly 2 per cent. The conditions of the crop during growth were not so favorable as during the year previous, but, although short in straw, the out-turn of grain was larger.

In those States bordering on the Ohio River the result was in excess of anticipations, while in the large producing States of the Northwest the reverse was the case, and there the crop of 1879 did not more than equal that of 1878. The same causes for the partial failure of the spring wheat crop as were given in 1878, were given this year, viz, extreme heat just at maturing, drought, and chinchi bugs. On the Pacific slope the crop is rather below that of 1878, both in quantity and quality. The total crop for the whole country is estimated at 448,756,000 bushels, which, assuming the population to be 483 million persons, would give a product of 9.2+ bushels per capita; allowing 5.5 bushels for home consumption (seed and food), there would remain a surplus of about 182,000,000 bushels for export.

The average yield per acre was 13.7+ bushels, considerably larger than in the year 1878, and almost identical with that of 1877, which was the largest average since twenty years. This average of 13.7+ represents the average of all the States, and seems very low, but it must be borne in mind that in many sections of the country wheat is only sown for home use and to utilize fields too long planted in other crops; taking into consideration only those States where wheat is a leading crop, the average is very different, as for instance in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois the average yield per acre this year was rather more than 19 bushels, equal to the yearly average of France and more than the yield in England for this year. The price, as returned us, shows a great advance to the farmer since a year, and is for 1879 $1.11 per bushel against $0.78 in 1878, thus making a crop worth $497,000,000 against $326,000,000 last year.

Oats. The product of oats for 1879 was less than that of either the two previous years, and was 363,761,000 bushels. The area planted was 4 per cent. less than the previous year. The spring was dry and cold, which with unfavorable conditions during the summer caused a crop 12 per cent. less than that of 1878. The price, however, was much higher, and was $0.33 per bushel against $0.24 last year, netting to the farmer a total of $120,533,000 against $101,900,000 in 1878.

Cotton. The spring and summer months were not so favorable for cotton as last year. Drought was reported as very detrimental in all the South Atlantic States and Texas. The condition at no time was reported as high as in 1878, and from returns made November 1 and December 1 the crop was estimated at 5,261,202 bales; unusually favorable weather for growth, maturing, and picking continued, however, through the month of December, and added largely to the crop. Unlike corn and other farm crops, cotton, being perennial, continues to produce new flowers and fruit undiminished till the plant is killed by frost,

Products.

Tobacco. The total product of the country is within a small percentage of that of 1878, the gain being chiefly in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Connecticut, and the most serious decline in Ohio and Missouri. The quality of the crop is somewhat better than that of last year, but the price shows little or no variation. The crop for 1879 is estimated at 391,278,350 pounds, valued at $22,727,524, against 392,546,700 pounds, valued at $22,137,428 in 1878.

Potatoes.-There was an increase in the area planted in potatoes of 3 per cent.; drought was prevalent in some sections of the country, but on the whole the season was favorable and the yield per acre was an average of 98 bushels, against 69 in 1878, and 94 in 1877. The total crop is estimated at 181 million bushels, valued at $79,000,000.

Other crops. For details of other crops reference is made to the following tables:

Table showing the product of each principal crop of the several States named, the yield per acre, the total acreage, the average price in each State, and the value of each crop, for 1879.

Total valuation.