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This table shows the average bushels and value per annum for ten years, 1868 to 1878, as follows:

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These figures are of great importance and value, and show the enormous amount in bushels and dollars of one branch of agriculture.

The following official statement, dated November 14, 1878, shows the amount of our exports exclusively agricultural, from 1875 to 1878:

Statement showing the currency value of the agricultural products herein mentioned, exported from the United States during the years ending June 30, 1875, to 1878, inclusive.

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Statement showing currency value of agricultural products herein mentioned, etc.—Cor tinned.

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Total bread and breadstuffs.... 111,458,265 131,181,55 117,-06,676 1×1,777,841

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Statement showing currency value of agricultural products herein mentioned, etc.—Continued.

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For the year 1878 our exports from agriculture alone reached the enormous sum of

.$536,038,951

While our entire exports from all other sources, including agriculture, for 1878, amount to...

Total exports, less agriculture....

695,749,930 $159,710,979

This shows that agriculture furnished full three-fourths of our entire exports, and amounted to more in dollars than our imports.

These statements establish the fact that, as in the past, we have mainly depended upon agriculture, so, in the future, we must look to it for our support and ability to pay for what we purchase abroad, as also the payment of our foreign debt and interest.

COTTON.

The soil of some of our States is so well adapted to the growing of cotton that we are the chief producer of the world, and must remain so. constitutes the largest factor in our exports, bringing us since 1865 an average of more than $200,000,000 per annum, or more than two and a half billions for the thirteen years-which is more than our national debt. Without cotton our foreign trade would have been largely against

us.

There are good reasons to believe the production will increase from year to year. This large amount is part of the aid and contribution the Southern States bring to us in restoring prosperity to the whole country.

BREADSTUFFS, INCLUDING ALL CEREALS,

Constitute the next largest item in our exports, yielding last year $181,777,841, and an average since 1865 of near $100,000,000 per annum.

ANIMAL PRODUCTS, INCLUDING CATTLE AND HOGS,

Rank next in exports, and amounted last year to $133,232,575, an average for the last decade of about $80,000,000 per annum. For this and breadstuffs we are chiefly indebted to the West.

BUTTER AND CHEESE.

This is an important farming and agricultural interest which has not hitherto attracted the attention it deserves, and one that is fast growing in our country. It is estimated that last year the total production of cheese was 350,000,000 pounds, and of butter 1,500,000,000 pounds; estimated value of both being about $350,000,000. This is the contribution of the whole country, and is the leading agricultural interest next to corn, being only one-fourth less in value, one third more than cotton and one-seventh more than the hay crop. The exports for 1878 were:' cheese, $14,103,529; butter, $3,931,822.

The number of cows in the United States is estimated at about 12,500,000-over six times the number in Great Britain, and twice the number in France.

VALUE OF FARM PRODUCTS AND EXPORTS.

The following statements, also from official sources, show the value of farm products, and exports of the same, as also estimated value of farm animals, and increase in the exports of some of the leading products, for 1876 and 1877:

Value of farm products and exports of the same, and ratio of exports to total production, for 1876 and 1877.

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