PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE. 29

motive power sufficient for all its purposes, and with space enough for exercise and instruction in most of the mechanic arts, at least for those operating in wood, iron, and stone.

In the year 1855, the legislature of South Carolina passed an act appropriating 5,000 per annum for agricultural purposes in that State, and for experiments, principally with the seeds, cuttings,&c., which may be obtained from the United States Patent Office.

Scientific schools, experimental grounds, and agricultural professor- ships have also been established in connection with many of the colleges and universities of the country, with the view of affording thorough and practical instructions in the arts and sciences, which bear directly upon rural affairs, as well as upon the other industrial occupations of the age.

In reverting to the progress of agriculture in the United States, it is obvious that, from the paucity of our statistics, prior to the year 1840, it would be difficult to arrive at any fixed ratio of increase or diminution of any particular product. The chief elements that would seem to have a bearing on these points consist in the augmentation of our population by birth, accession, or immigration; the annexation of territory; the demand for our staples, either for shipping or home consumption; the construction of railroads, telegraphs, and canals; the improvement of rivers and harbors; the introduction of improved implements of husbandry and labor-saving machinery; and last of all, in the permanent improvement or the overworking of the soil.

The following tables exhibit the general industrial and commercial condition of the country, as near as can be ascertained, with the popu- lation at each decennial period, since the formation of our govern- ment: