The San Francisco call., 1897-06-10
THE MIDDLE STATES.

Michael G.. Mulhall, the famous statisti-
clan, in the second article of b s series on
the Progress of the United States" pub
lished in the North american ReUicw for
June, presents facts and figures TO prove
that the Middle States-New York, New
Jersey. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary
land and the District of Columbia-are
pre-eminent, as com pared with other Sec
tions of the Union, in trade, banking man
ufactures and wealth. The article is va1u-
able and highly Instructive. No other
part of the New World is so densely popu-
lated as the Middle States, the average
being lao persons to the square mile.
This" says Mr.. Mulhall, "is a much
higher ratio of density than that for the
| continent of Europe, and falls little below
that of France. If the same rate Of prog
ress continue as since 1870 these States will
have al the next census population of
10000 000." 1t was 14,000, 600 in 1890
While the increase of population in
these States since 1850 has teen nearly $50
per cent, or tlmost double the rate OF
rogress recorded in New England. it has
been much less than the general average
for the Union, which has been 2I2 per cent
in that interval. In the Middle States,
however, the growth has been almost con-
fined to cities, the advance of rural popu-
lation being slow. 1t is shown that in
twenty years. from 1870 to 1890, urban
population rose 81 Ter cent and rural
only 10 per cent, Thus, the rural popula-
tion was in a measure unable to hold its
own, since its natural increase (excess of
births over deaths) ought to have been 40
per cent in the interval. Meantime the
cities have largely gained by immigration.
II IS rather a surprise, however, to find
that the American white population in
the Middle States has grown five times
faster than in New England.
The area under farms in that section ex-
ceeds by three million acres the total cul-
tivated area of Great Britain, and vet
agriculture has been so far unable to keep
pace WI h population that at present the
ratio is only two and a half acres per in
habitant as compared with four acres in
1850. Since the latter year there has been
some increase in the production of grain
and potatoes, but the production of meat
has declined and Mr. Mulhall shows that
the acIual production of food in those
! States is only one-third of what is re-
quired TO feed the population. In fact, the
the single State OF Pennsylvania.
The agriculture of the Middle States is
| deficient in every respec,, although there
is an unimproved area of 81, 900, COO acres,
much Of which ought 10 be available for
cultivation. Doubtless" says Mr. Null
| hall, 1.-The explanation is that manuiac.
ture and commerce are more profitable n
these States and that farmers have a ten
dency to go West" But then it is only in
agriculture that these States are below
par. They represent 27 per cent of the
wealth, 80 per cent OF the mining. 80 per
cent of the manufactures, Al per cent of
tue banking and 55 per cent of the foreig n
trade of the Union. THE average of the
! foresoing six industries is 35 per cent.
while the population is only 22 ter cent of
that of the Union. Hence it may be said
| that TWO persons of The Middle States
exercise the same influence in American
progress as three persons of the United
States generally"
The European reader" observes the
statistician in conclusion, ''may form an
accurate idea of the Middle States when
he Is told that they are equal in area to
the United Kingdom, in population to
Spain, In manufactures to Germany; that
their mineral output more than doubles
that OF France, and that rs regards wealth
the single Safe of New York is equal tn
Belgium and Holland pu together"