The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-09-28
THE DEPARTM ENTS.
The Monthly Report Of the ComInis-
sioner Of Agriculture.

DEPARTMn OF AGRICULTURE, I
September, 1865. !
In the present issue of the monthly report
will be found digest Of very recent foreign
official statements concerning the cereals
and cotton, of especial interest to American
producers. The imports Of breadstufis into
Great Britain during the present year show
an insignificant contribution from this coun-
try, but the acknowledged deficiency o. the
harvests of the season, both in France and
Great Britain, promises demand which will
call forth, at remunerating prices our surplus
stores, which fortunately are sufficient to aid
materially in equalizing the heavy balance Of
trade against us. In this connection the fol-
lowing communication, bearing date Septem-
Der I, received through the courtesy Of the
Assistant Secretary Of State, from the United
States commercial agent, E. d. Webster, will
be read with interest
"For the information Of the Commissioner
Of Agriculture and the grain-growers Of the
United States, have the honor to state
that the harvest in none of the midland coun-
ties, If, indeed, in any part Of England, will
come up to the expectations that were en-
tertaned a few weeks ago. 1t will fall very
largely short, both in quantity and quality,
of the grain. Unfortunately for the farmers,
Just as they were about ready to commence
the wheat harvest, severe rains set in, which
have continued, with very little interruption,
down to this time, and the weather is still
threatening. The consequence is, that in oil
parts Of the country the grain has been very
seriously damaged, and in some places whole
fields have been rendered nearly worthless
for human food. The crop Of sound wheat
in England, am told by wellinformed per-
sons. will not be above one-half as much
as that harvested last year. Very much Of
the wheat that will be harvested will be in
the condition commonly described by our
farmers, us grown Other kinds Of grain
have also suffered very severely. In France
and other portions Of Europe the crop of
wheat is also reported small"
Itw will be seen that this country has already
assumed its appropriate leading position in
furnishing the cotton supply of European
manuiac tories, the receipts Of Great Britain
| in seven months of the present year being
| l.Ol7 $50 bales of 400 pounds each, greatly
in advance of those from India and almost
equal to the combined supply Of all cotton
exporting countries except the United States.
A comparison Of prices is suggestive Of con-
tinued and assured supremacy Of United
States cotton in the markets Of the world.
| The imports from the United States in the
six months from January to June, inclusive,
are computed at Sl26,349,S55 for 9O4,I04
bales, or "a IL cents per pound, while all
other imports averaged but p cents, and
India cotton but 90 cents.
An interesting feature in the present re-
port is the assumption Of statistical relations
III. l. L.
sufficiently numerous to afford entirely accu-
rate bases for estimates, but it is believed
that fair approximations have been made.
They make estimates Of farm stock, as COM
| pared with the numbers of 1860, as follows
horses, 6s per cent; mules, 7O cattle, 65;
sheep. so; hogs, Sc per cent. A table Of es-
timated numbers of farm stock of each of
these States will be found interesting. 1t
shows an actual increase in the sheep OF Texas
amounting to 20 per cent.
| The county estimates Of the probable cot
ton crop Ton the first Of September) were
less confident, for many reasons, and cspe
cially owing to the dangers to which the croI
is liable in the future. A fair analysis, how
ever, at that date of the elementary estimates
will make up grand estimate of about
], 800, 900 bales.
The estimates of the various farm crops
warrant the assertion that the year has been
one OF remarkable fruitfulness. The promise
of my last report, as TO wheat is fully sus
tanned. OF corn there will be more than 9
thousand millions of bushels. Although late
fears of killing frosts have been realized only
to small extent; yet recently deluging rain
have overhowed large areas Of ripening corn
in the West, and retarded its maturing gen
orally, arousing some apprehensions Of infe
ror quality in that which is not fully ma
, tured For particulars of the several crops
reference is respectfully made to the body o
the report Isaac NEwTos,
Commissioner