That these statistics, obtained monthly through thousands of intelligent correspondents, upon specific subjects peculiarly appropriate to the season, should be placed before the country at the time, and not be deferred until the publication of the annual report, is indisputable. The leading purpose in their presentation is to furnish a guide to producers in the necessary mutations of crop and stock production, and to act on the markets before the disposition is made of cereals, meats, and fibrous products of the farm. Hence the necessity and the origin of the monthly report. Its publication, at first opposed by several agricultural papers, under the erroneous impression that it might conflict with private interests, excites no opposition since it is seen to avoid ordinary topics pertaining to agriculture, and to consider only those that are national in their character or bearing. The annual and monthly reports are entirely distinct in their character. The first treats of subjects of a permanent nature, in the form of carefully written essays. The second is confined to topics less permanent, and often of transient or passing importance; it considers them briefly, touching upon leading points only, avoiding details, and ignoring the ornaments of style and a labored arrange ment. A brief general summary of the more important statistics of this division are as follows: GENERAL SUMMARY RELATING TO FARM STOCK. Showing the total number of live stock for January, 1864 and 1865, the increase and decrease thereof, the general average price of each kind, the value of each kind, and the total value of all. Number, average price, and total value in January, 1865. GENERAL SUMMARY RELATING TO CROPS Showing the number of bushels, &c., of each crop, the number of acres of each, the value of each, and the bushels, acres, and value of all, and the increase and decrease of the same, for the years 1863 and 1864, and the comparison between the same years. The above tables of the general summary do not show the exact comparative differences between the years 1863 and 1864, because the latter year embraces the crops of Kentucky, which are not in the year of 1863. Deducting Kentucky fom 1864, the comparison will be as follows: The table of comparison between 1863 and 1864 exhibits much that is important. The increase in the bushels of grain is large, and the decrease in the pounds of tobacco raised is also great. The decrease in acres cultivated is 1,185,451, but the increase in the value of the above crops is $184,651,113. The first increase is from the corn crop, and the last may be attributed to an increase in the currency, or a spirit of speculation. General summary of the amount of the crops of 1865, compared with those of In the western States the wheat crop is very deficient in quality. It has been estimated by the department that the deficiency in both quantity and quality is 26,241,698 bushels; in quantity alone 12,172,944 bushels. The quality of the corn crop is excellent, and that of the remaining crops is believed to be an average. The number of bushels in 1865 exceeds those of 1864 by 215,071,411. 1 The prices, average, and value of the crops of 1865 will not be calculated until February next. The greatness and excellence of the corn crop must be gratifying to all. The balance of the appropriation for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865, remaining unexpended on the 1st of December, 1864. was $95,891 51. There was appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1866, $155,300. The expenditures from December 1, 1864, to November, 1865, amount to $152,614 70, leaving an unexpended balance of $98,584 81. Since my last report of the special appropriation of $20,000 "for investigations to test the practicability of preparing flax and hemp as a substitute for cotton," there has been expended $4,500 40, leaving a balance of $10,500 remaining in the United States treasury. The increasing demand made upon the department for the agricultural report, which is yearly becoming more extended and urgent as the appreciation of its value and usefulness is widened and intensified, induces me to ask Congress for an additional number of copies. The limited number allowed for circulation by the department forbids a very liberal distribution among those engaged in agricultural pursuits, who especially desire and seek the information it contains; many of whom are dependent upon the department for their supply. A single It copy to each of its correspondents would alone absorb nearly the entire annual allotment to the department. There should also be retained a sufficient number of each volume for the future supply of foreign exchanges, libraries, and agricultural and kindred associations. Respectfully submitted, ISAAC NEWTON, His Excellency ANDREW JOHNSON, President. |