The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-03-18
Comparison of 1897 With Previous
Years.

great remedy. Price 25c.and SOC.
Comparison of 1897 With Previous
| Years.
Washington, March lin reply
to the question how far the improve
ment which has taken place during
the last II months in trade and agri-
culture was capable of statistical
demonstration, Statistician Hyde of
the department of agriculture stated
that nothing could be more significant
than the available official statistics
bearing on this subject. 1t could
not be questioned, he said, that the
farmers of the United States have
received for their cereal crops of 1897
something like $3.50, 100000 more
than for those of 1896, and $50 ,OOO,-
700 more than for those of any pre-
cedlng year since 1892. The hay
crop, Notwithstanding that it was the
largest, with one exception, ever rails
ed, commanded an increased price
per ton; wool is higher, and consid-
erably higher, than at any time since
1898, and cotton is the only import
ant product with regard to which
there is not substantial improve.
ment over the conditions prevailing a
year ago.
Still more significant are the Stats.
tics of farm animals, which show that
during the year 1897 the farm horses
OF the country increased in value over
$4,000, 200, the mules over Sc. OOO..
100, the mich cows over $50 900 900
other cattle over $l04, 900, 900, sheep
over $40, 200, 600, and swine over
So,O0O,OO0, a total increase of value
during the year of over S236, 900, 900
Not Il single state or territory fails to
report an increase on the AVERAGE
farm price per head of cattle and
sheep.
Taxing the products OF the soil and
The various products of the animal
industry together, there is not the
least doubt that the farmers of the
united States received at least $500,
oo0,00O more in 1897 than in 1856
MS Is conservative estimate, and
well within the actual facts.
The public have been pretty well
famlllarized, Mr. Hyde said, with the
large Increase that has taken place in
our export trade, but it will do no
narm to repeat that the total value of
our exports in 1897 exceeded that of
1896 by over $4,000, 600, and that
u this large increase the increase in
agricultural products represented
more than two-thirds.
There is scarcely better index to
business conditions, he continued.
nan Is afforded by transportation re
'elpts. A recently published state
nent OF the traffic through the canals
1t oault Ste. Marie showed an in.
'rease Of no less than II per cent in
fe'ght tonnage over the preceding
'ear. This freight included wheat
ron ore, hard coal and lumber. the
otal tonnage transported being great
J IN excess OF that of any previous
;ear.
While Mr.. Hyde was not in DOS
esslon OF recent statistics of railroad
comparison of the prices
II railroad stocks on March with
nose OF the corresponding date last
ear showed most remarkable in
rease.
Taking the latest national bank sta.
lstlcs available, Mr.. Hyde called at.
enllon to an increase of over S255.-
o0,0OO In the total amount of iudi.
iduai deposits and of over STA ,OOO,.
oo I'D The total amount of loans and
lscounts as an indication of restored
ohnoence, and Of the extent to
'hlch money was once more flowing !
ack into its accustomed channels.
The receipts of the postofIice de. II
artment for the last quarter for which
hey have been published show an in t
rease of about 81 900, 900, or 5 per
ent over those for the corresponding
eriod of the preceding year.
Lastly, the number of failures and
lie liabilities of the insolvent con-
ems, as reported by Dun's mercan- i
lie agency, shows most gratifying 4
ecrease. rs
All these statistics point in the p
'me general direction-to a greatly
creased business activity.
L n n