The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-10

oats was also larger than ever before by nearly
5000 QUO OF bushels; the potato crop exceed
ed that of 1874 nearly GOO, 900 bushels.
The total crop OF cereal grains for
| year 1919 was. 80. 81. 42O, 854.
- 1874 was ..... .... 90. ... 40. 945. 1874.
~ Increase in one year, 90. -. 9, ATE, 900
The yield OF miscellaneous products gene
rally exceed the estimates.
The yield of Butter wasl2, OPS, 372 lbs. being
| two millions in excess OF 1874. Yield of cheese
,009, 1899, a fraction less than previous year.
The Commissioners estimate of the wheat
crop tor the past year, as published at the
close ct the harvest, was SH bushels per acre,
or about 1t, 00O, coo bushels, butas subsequent
reports proved less favorable, it is possible
that even this low estimate may not be real
lied. At all events there is no question but
that the wheat cropof 1876 comes nearer being
a failure than any product during the agricui-
tural career of the State. But this sing gle ap-
proach to failure, alter succession Of such
crops as above shown, does not in any way
effect our status as a wheat-growing State
Statistics show that our average wheat crop is
! from II to Is bushels per acre, while those OF
! Older States show very much lower figure
| In series of eleven years the average OF the
State OF Ohio. as shown by her reports, was
| 1855; the average Of the State of Iowa, in one
series OF seven years, was but 1913 bushels
per acre, while q high local authc rity esti-
mates the wheat average of Illinois at BUSH
els per acre. 1t thus appears that an average
wheat yield in other States but little exceeds
| what is deemed failure in Minnesota,
The same report also gives evidence of a
growing interest and movement in the direc-
| ton oil stock raising, and the improvement OF
the breed Of horses, sheep and horned cattle.
proved stock will be found worthy OF the at
taIltiOn of farmers
The returns OF tree planting are encourage
ing they show that more than 10000, 900
trees have been planted in groves and a cor
responding amount in line and on road-ways,
for wind-brakes and shade.
The report OF births for the year 1875, foots
up 1925, against 1889 tor that of the pre-
ceeding year, while the number of deaths re-
ported is e,O6;, being S4l less than in 1874,
showing a tendency toward greater healthful-
ness. The excess OF births over deaths in
1875 is IL, 604, and that of the last five years
amounts in the aggregate to 81, 049, which re-
presents the natural increase simply, OF our
population.
There has been no death reported within
the borders of the State from smallpox du-
ring the year.
AS our State has been celebrated for its
healthtulness, the commissioners showing OF
est. The number of deaths per thousand in
the whole State is 10 14-lO0; the average in
thirty-two towns and cities is Is 87-l0O per
thousand. The number of deaths in Minnie
sofa is shown to be one to every 1O8 of the
population, which is a smaller mortality than
that of any State of the Union, with one ex-
ception. The proportion tor the whole United
States is reported at one death to each "a of
the population.
The Bureau of Statistics is now in charge OF
DR.. j. B. Phillips, gentleman whose prac-
tical acquaintance with agriculture, knowledge
OF the fundamental principles of medicine,
and varied scholarly attainments peculiarly
fit him for the best performance OF his COM
prehensive duties.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
take pleasure in referring to the report OF
the Historical Society. 1t bears evidence of
the prosperous condition OF an organization
which performs an invaluable public service
by the collection, preservation and arrange
ment of the materials essential to our early
history. Its library now comprises 1900
volumes, bound and unbound; and its collec-
ton of newspapers, 600 vclumes,--mostly
Minnesota papers,-covering the whole period
from the Territorial organization in lS49 to the
present time. Public libraries are a moral
and educational power whose general uses are
readily recognized; but it is difficult to real
ize how important to future history are the
familiar, unprized occurrences of the present
which are unheeded amid the exaetions and
excitements OF the hour. Few historical COL
lections, in so young State, embrace more
valuable material for future usefulness than
has already been secured by this Society.
The Secretary complains of the crowded state
of the rooms, and suggests that ultimately a
fre-proof depository will be required. The
value of its library and the irreplacuble ma
ture of it's collections. will render such means
OF safety Indispensable. In view OF the excel
lent management exhibited, the gratifying
success already achieved, and the importance
1oH~ r 1o< 10
ing care which the State has heretofore given
to the Society, will be continued at your
hands,
The report of the State Librarian shows an
addition Of $40 volumes to the State Library
that the library now comprises total of l2,-
600 books. The lack of room begins to I've
seriously felt and early measures will he nee.
essary to supply the increasing demands of
the future.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
The fifth annual report OF the Insurance
Commissioner, which will be laid before you,
shows with great clearness the condition OF
the various FIRE and marine and lite insurance
companies, doing business in this State, as
severally reported to the Insurance Depart
ment. It appears that at the date Of this re-
port there were eighty mine fire and marine
Insurance companies duly authorized to oper-
ate IN this state, with total assets OF W.
2s4, and with total liabilities, including paid
up capital, OF $6s, 79l ,026. Their total income
during the preceding year was 455, 7ss, TT,
and their total expenditures, ~ ,07l, lO2.
OF these companies, two were incorporated
under the laws of this State, seventy three are
companies Of other States, and fourteen offor-
eign countries. Their operations in Mime
seta during The year were As tollows = 70. %.
Total premiums received 80. -. o67,28s
Total losses incurred ...... $3.50. 4a2,6ss