enlarged facilities for trade, and also of manufactures, have borne her triumphant through the conflict. Whence, then, originates the absurd idea, that railways have absorbed commercial capital? Railways alone have saved the commercial community from bankruptcy. Whence, then, comes this cry? This is it-Railways as well as increased currency have immensely increased the business of the country. Hence, more money is required for a greatly enlarged business. Then extravagance, to a most foolish extent, has taken possession of the wealthy classes, and that demands money. Then comes a pressure. There is overtrading, export of specie, high rates of interest, and some failures. Somebody must be blamed. Who? The most prominent, active, and public body is a railway, and he is charged with doing too much. It is the old Jack Cade cry of put down the men with the ink horns, because they can write; and arrest the progress of railways, because they make too much business! When you cease to make railways, the goose that laid the golden egg will be killed.

INCREASE ON BRITISH STEAM AND SAIL MARINE.

The steam marine of Great Britain originated in the year 1814. In that year two steam vessels were built with a combined measurement of 456 tons. In 1820 the registered tonnage of their steamships (excluding the colonial) was 7,243 tons, vessels 43. The increase has since been irregular, showing in 1850 an aggregate of 168,844. In the same period (36 years) the merchant marine increased from 2,414,170 tons to 3,565,133 tons. The increase at various dates is shown as annexed:

In 1852, the number of new vessels built was only 712, notwithstanding the demand for shipping for Australia, California, &c., whereas in 1847 the number was 981; in 1841, 1,192, and in 1840, 1,448. In 1825, when the trade and business of Great Britain suddenly enlarged, and speculation rife, the number of new vessels built was 1,003, and in 1826, 1,151, being much larger than in 1852. This result may be in part attributed to the greater activity of the steam vessels.

GALENA AND CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD.

This road is 145 miles in length, the distance between Chicago and Galena. The seventh annual report of the president and superintendent exhibits its affairs as in a prosperous condition. The earnings of this road from all sources for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1854, were as follows:

The Moniteur publishes the gross receipts of the French railroads for the first six months of 1854, and compares them with those of the corresponding period of 1853. There is an increase in the distance open this year of about 200 miles of rail, but the increase of the receipts is much beyond the proportionate yield of this added distance. The advance is about fourteen millions. If calculated by kilometres-four-fifths of a mile-the advance in yield of 1854 over 1853 is 2,300 francs per kilometre, or twelve per cent. This for France, and under the circumstances, is a creditable state of things.

THE COLLINS MAIL STEAMERS.

The average expenses of a voyage from New York to Liverpool and back have increased $10,984 a trip. The increased pay is $13,750; the increased expenses per voyage are $10,984-leaving the actual increase of pay, under the act, only $2,765. The increased speed on the Collins line since July 1st, 1852, has averaged two days each way over the speed made in 1850 and 1851; and this increased speed has created additional expense, together with the increased price of labor and wages. As, for instance, coal has advanced $3 per ton, making an increased expenditure of $5,500 per round trip to Liverpool and back-or $143,000 for the 26 yearly trips. The increased postage for 1853 over 1852 appears from the Postmaster General's Report to be 34 per cent. In 1852, $339,164; in 1853, $409,804. If this per centage of increase be taken as any criterion, the per centage of this year will be as follows: 1854, $650,578; and for 1855, $951,056-a sum greater than the amount paid by the government for the service. The increased postage of the Cunard line for the same time is 29 per cent. In 1852 $655,021, and in 1853 $845,553. Allowing the British postage to increase this year and the next at 29 per cent, the result will be as follows: for 1854, $1,090,764, and for 1855, $1,407,056.

STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE, &c.

THE VALUE OF LANDS IN OHIO IN 1853.

The following table furnished for publication in the Merchants' Magazine, was prepared by Mr. W. D. Morgan, Auditor of the State of Ohio. It shows the number of acres sold, the prices at which they were sold, the average price per acre as sold, and the average price per acre as appraised, &c.

SALES OF LAND AS ENTERED ON RECORD IN THE SEVERAL COUNTIES, BETWEEN THE 1ST DAY OF APRIL AND 1ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 1853.

PRODUCTION OF HOGS IN KENTUCKY.

The following official statement of the number of hogs assessed in each county of the State of Kentucky for the years 1853 and 1854, was compiled at Frankfort, the seat of government for that State, expressly for the Cincinnati Price Current. The increase over last year, it is seen, is 158,807 head:

WHEAT PRODUCTION AND EXPORTATION OF THE UNITED STATES. The Cincinnati Railroad Record estimates the wheat crop of 1854, in this country, at one hundred and fifty millions of bushels, and the home consumption at one hundred and twenty millions, leaving but thirty millions for export. The exports of the United States in wheat and flour, reduced to bushels, in 1831 and 1852, were as follows:

In 1851....
In 1852..

.bushels 101,000,000
143,000,000

12,038,380
16,551,902

It will be seen that the proportion was very nearly the same, viz.: twelve per cent of the crop. In a crop of one hundred and twenty millions the same proportion will give eighteen millions of bushels for exportation. But as the price was then low, we must allow for an increased export under high prices. Thirty millions, however, is the very utmost we can export, without changing the use of wheat and flour to that of corn. It is very evident, then, that if the war in Europe continues, deranging as it does the sources of supply, and the market for breadstuffs, the prices for breadstuffs in this country will continue to range much above the ordinary average.

The Record adds

There is a popular error as to the production of wheat in the United States, which pervades the commercial circles as well as the newspapers. It arises from confounding the capacity to produce with the actual production. Men look round on the fertile grain-growing soil of the United States, and say, " We can feed all Europe." Very true, we can, but we do not. The countries on the Baltic and Black seas send vastly greater surpluses to market than we do, and always will, unless prices rule higher in the United States. The fact is, that on the average prices paid for wheat, the American farmer has no great temptation to indulge in that crop. Notwithstanding all the boasts made of wheat culture on the prairie lands of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, they have as yet made no advance on the wheat culture of Ohio. The fact is, that the grass and corn which go into cattle and hogs are the most profitable crops. Under present prices, it is true the farmer will produce as much wheat as he can, but he had no such prices until after the fall planting was made. The agriculture of a country cannot be changed in one year or two. At one dollar per bushel, the farmer will be glad to cultivate wheat; but he seldom has that temptation, and the great irregularity of prices is one of the drawbacks on that crop.

We conclude, then, even if Ohio produces more than an average crop, yet there will be no excessive surplus of grain in this country. If we need heavy surpluses, we must have another year of cultivation to produce them.

THE CULTURE OF COTTON IN INDIA.

England is making every effort in her power to release herself from dependence on the United States for her main supply of "food for her looms." We fancy it will be a long time before she accomplishes that object. We copy from a London journal the following statement:

A resident in India has forwarded to Mr. Bazley, President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, four samples of cotton produced in Assam, obtained by him at one of the monthly meetings of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Calcutta. No. 1. Dera Kupas indigenous cotton, with seed in it, grown in Debrooghur; No. 2. Jaloba Kupas indigenous cotton, with seed in it, grown in Debrooghur; B, No. 1. Sea Island cotton, gathered in Debrooghur, in December, 1853; B, No. 2, cotton grown from American Gulf seed, gathered in Debrooghur in December, 1853. B, No. 1 and No. 2 are both grown from United States seed. The B No. 1 is said to preserve all the characteristics of Sea Island cotton, though grown so far inland as Upper Assam; the B No. 2 is considered a valuable cotton, and both are held sufficient to prove that even excellent cotton can be grown in India. The indigenous cotton is poor. Mr. Blundell recommends that a supply of good fresh Sea Island seed be obtained from South Carolina and Georgia, and sent to Debrooghur, properly packed, and upon this recommendation the Chamber intends to act directly, including also seeds of other American cottons, the Upland, New Orleans, &c.; also of Egyptian and of the Brazil descriptions. The Brazil, Mr. Blundell thinks might answer well-the