The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-10
OUR FOREIGN TRADE.
Large Increase IN the Value or Exports OF AE-
rIcuit ural Pro6ucta.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-Thc Department Of
Agriculture issued yesterday bulletin No. 10.
1t treats OF the nations foreign trade in agri-
cultural products. The report shows total ex.
ports for the fiscal year 1897 amounting in
value to ~. O32, 90. SOB. This outstrips all pre-
vious records. OF The total 66.si per cent. or
1859. 155.l had its origin in agriculture. a
gain over 1896 of Sll5.356,s2s. or about 20
per cent. 1'he'total imports for the year were
in value S764. 73O.412, OF which 500. s7l ,l6s.
or 52.42 per cent. was represented by aSricul-
tural products. This is an increase OF nearly
$40. 0o0,o 600 over the record Of 1895, and is ex-
planned. the bulletin says, by extraordinary in,-
portations Of raw sugar and OF wool in anticipa-
ton OF the new tariff. Wool imports showed
an increase OF $50. 900, 900 over 1896. and sugar
OF 10000 600 over that year. There was a
falling off in all other agricultural imports. be-
cause Of the successful propagation here OF Ger.
tain products we were formerly Obliged TO pur.
chase elsewhere.
OF the articles exported which show the great.
est increase cotton is mentioned first. In 1896
the total export of cotton was 1,335, 226, 3s5
pounds. In 1897 it was 5. lO3, 7J4.949 pounds,
an increase OF 76S, 52s.J 64 pounds. Wheat
comes next. The record is 79,5G4 ,o20 bushels.
against 90, ,oS0 for 1895. The price also
was better. The average in 1896 was $50
cents. Last year it was T5.3 cents. There was
a slight falling OF in the exports Of wheat flour.
but the price obtained for it advanced from
50. So 4 barrel TO So - 4 barrel, and the tot IL re-
ceipts show an increase Of nearly -. 400. 900
The total exports OF Indian corn amounted to
1896 1856 bushels. an increase OF more than
$1,000 900 over lS96. and despite q decline in
price from 31.S cents to 500 cents. the amount
received for the product showed an increase of
about ST. .ooo.oCo. At the same time the en-
port of cornmeal was nearly doubled. the rec
ord being AIS. 263 barrels in 1897. against 276,-
SIS in 1896. OF other cereals, the shipment OF
oats show an increase OF %. 0O.0O bushels,
of barley an increase OF nearly Is. 900. 900 bush.
els. and OF rye an increase OF nearly W. 900
bushels. The Total export OF breadstuffs
amounted in value TO Sl9-.S5-.2l9 against
Sl4l. 6.393 in 1896. an increase OF $685.
The exports of naxseed increased from sO.453
bushels, valued ut S13,2o7, TO i,71S,7 TAI bushels,
valued at 81. $50. s35.
The bulletin shows important gains in the
export of cattle. horses, fresh beet, hams, bacon,
butter, and cheese. In 1896 the export OF cattle
amounted TO 372,46l head. Last year It amount
ed TO 392. 100. Horses. 1896. o5,l26; 1897.
3a.532. Tho expectation o. fresh beef increased
from 224. 7s3. 225 to a9O,3 1876 800. Tho exports
OF bacon increased from i25. 49,, 1877 pounds 20
5oO.3 9 .44s pounds. The increase In the cx-
ports of butter and cheese was in about the
same proportion.
Tho record OF fruit expectations shows an
500.
The bulletin shows reduction In exports OF
canned beet, sailed and picked beef, picked
pork, hides. skin. and sheep.