*A species of champagne made from boiled and clarified grape juice.

The census returns as published show the extent of each cultivated area, the names of the owners, and the amounts of each individual crop. The foregoing is abstracted from the summary of farm productions. From what is said upon all hands relative to the fertility of the soil, the yield per acre, and the production in proportion to the seed sown are remarkable only because of their moderation. It is evident that the success of Chilean agriculture in 1874 depended more upon the kindness of the soil and climate than upon improved agricultural methods. Still, the total yield of wheat in 1874, as given by the census, was greater than that of 1888 as given in the Bulletin of the National Society of Agriculture by 2,725,097 bushels, although better methods have been adopted and a greater yield per acre secured.

Señor Le Feuvre states, in that publication for September 5, 1890, that the cultivation of wheat, whether in irrigated fields or not, is now simpler and more economical than formerly, because of the use of ma chinery and modern implements. He says also, in this connection, that "the yield varies from 10 to 16 hectoliters per hectare on land not irrigated, and from 20 to 30 on the irrigated." This is equivalent to a yield of from 11.5 to 18.4 bushels per acre in the first case, and of 23 to 34.4 bushels in the last. If such an average rate of increase has been achieved, there certainly has been progress in Chilean agriculture, and to a gratifying extent.

The falling off in the total amount of wheat produced is possibly a still further evidence of real progress. When the new methods of milling became prevalent in the United States and in Europe they were

not promptly adopted in Chile, a considerable exporter of flour made from her own wheat. The consequences were that her export and then production fell off, and that more area and attention were given to other branches of agricultural production. Grape culture and wine making have rapidly and greatly augmented at the expense of the old wheat areas to considerable extent. The "causes of the decadence of the milling in. dustry in Chile" are the subject of an article in the Bulletin herein referred to, for August 20, 1890, in which it is stated authoritatively that "from 1864 to 1868, inclusive, 2,009,845 metric quintals of flour were exported from Chile, while from 1884 to 1888, inclusive, the exportation only reached 253,891 metric quintals." The amount exported in the firstnamed period was equivalent to 2,260,686 barrels, and that in the last to 285,578 barrels; a difference of 1,985,108 barrels in favor of the earlier period.

"Viticulture in Chile has only acquired importance in the last twentyfive years, and in consequence of the introduction of French vines and modern methods," says the able writer so freely quoted herein, Don René F. Le Feuvre, one of the directors of the National Society of Agriculture. He also states that the extension to which vineyards had attained in 1890 in Chile was 247,100 acres, all bearing fruit, and anticipates an extension in a few years (en pocos años) to 1,235,500 acres. The area suited to grape culture he estimates at over 7,500,000 acres. The present current prices of Chilean wine in the home markets are as follows, expressed in United States money:

Wines of the year (new wines) of good quality, in barrels, 35 to 87 cents per gallon. Old wines, of good quality, $5.47 to $7.29 per dozen quarts; superior $9.12 to $13.68 per dozen quarts, both bottled and cased. Possibly these prices may interest the wine makers of California looking for a market. They are from the latest Government publications.

Next to wheat and grape production is that of barley as to value. Barley is used mostly in beer making, and as food for horses. Corn is raised principally to clear the soil of weeds, and as a support to the bean crops raised with it-seldom solely for grain production. Oats may be raised in abundance in the cool, moist southern region, but with rye seem to be little cultivated. Beans and other leguminous food plants are favorites in cultivation, as in all Spanish countries, and more potatoes are grown in Chile than in most of the South American republics. Cattle-raising does not appear to be much beyond home requirements, but great care has been taken to improve the breed of farm animals, and the same is true relative to horses, sheep (of which there are about 12,000,000), and swine.

In fact Chile is the foremost of South American countries in giving educational and money aid to the advancement of rural industries in all their branches, being approached most nearly by the Argentine Republic in this respect. The State Agricultural School and Farm at

Santiago, and several preparatory branches, draw students from other near countries and from Europe.

It was projected in 1870, and the Agricultural Institute has now and since 1883 established courses in the following, viz: Agriculture and rural economy; arboriculture and horticulture; vine culture and wine making; agricultural botany; agricultural zoology; zoötechnie and veterinary science; agricultural chemistry, mineralogy, and geology; analytical chemistry and agricultural technology; rural engineering and building, and rural legislation. There is also a National Society of Agriculture, which is vividly conscious of its opportunities and duties, and both institutions have the coöperation of wealthy and progressive Chilean gentlemen, of whom there are many.

The tax upon country property in Chile, and so upon agriculture, was formerly equal to one-tenth of the income or the rental. It is now a little less, and favor is shown the farmer in import duties. At present agricultural machinery, and that used in grape culture, is free of duties.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

There are numerous common roads in Chile, but not of excellent character nor kept in repair. Railways have become in many parts the cheapest as well as most rapid means of communication. Considering the size of the country and the number of the population, railways are numerous, and they are still being rapidly multiplied. Of those owned and operated by the State there are thirteen, the total length being 750 miles. There are also fifteen lines in operation, aggregating 1,070.5 miles in length, owned by individuals or corporations, and concessions have been made for ten more, now under way, aggregating 610 miles in length. With these completed Chile will have 2,430.7 miles of rapid communication, and these will be ultimately considerably extended. The average cost of the Government roads was $56,422 per mile.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

There is complete freedom in giving instruction in Chile, but the State reserves the right to have pupils examined by a board of public instruction before bestowing a diploma which will authorize the recipient to teach. Instruction in the public schools is gratuitous, except for boarding schools. The system is admirably arranged for thorough education from first to last. There were, in 1887, 27 high schools for men and 13 for women; 293 elementary for boys and 199 for girls, and 418 mixed. There were 43,640 male and 37,722 female students.

Upon these schools there was expended in 1888 $1,406,000. There are several normal schools for teachers. There are now sixty public schools in course of establishment in the several provinces, the buildings for which will accommodate 20,500 scholars. There are over 150 large academic buildings, in which 60,000 pupils can be received. There

are several fine libraries in the different cities, the National Library in Santiago containing 80,000 volumes, and the library of the National College 30,000. That of Congress has 5,000.

GOVERNMENT FINANCES.

The revenues of Chile are derived from import duties on merchandise, warehouse charges, export duties on saltpeter and iodine, taxes upon appraised country property, called the agricultural tax, duties on stamps and stamped paper, on letters patent and the introduction of new industries, donations and inheritances, personal property, use of government wharf at Valparaiso, from the railway, post, and telegraphic service, etc. The revenues for 1889 were $82,668,910 in United States money, and the expenditures $54,160,126. The customs revenue of that year was $34,485,390. The public debt, principally due to the war with Peru and Bolivia and to railway building, was, on January 1, 1890, $85,379,574.

FOREIGN COMMERCE.

The principal productions, in value and for export, of Chile are of the mines, the most of which are in the arid northern region. Of the $56,000,000 worth of exports in 1889 nearly $47,000,000 was in niter ($33,185,138), copper, and silver. The most of the agricultural export was of wheat, of $2,658,876 value. The whole trade of 1887 and 1889 is shown in the following statement, with the principal countries to and from which it flowed, viz:

The following table shows the value of our trade with Chile during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, as shown by the Treasury report, and also the articles and values of the imports and exports of agricultural products between the two Republics:

The climate of the truly agricultural portion of Chile so corresponds with that of our own agricultural regions, especially on the Pacific slope, that our mutual productions are similar, and there does not appear to be a probability of an extensive exchange in the line of such productions. The mineral products of that country are required in far greater quantities by Europe, and particularly Great Britain, than by us, and naturally find that outlet; and it is quite as natural, as we have avoided the field, that British enterprise should construct the railways and furnish the water carriage of Chile, and thus influence further the market and business of that rich and progressive country. However, it is gratifying to observe the singular fact that more than half the value of our own $6,402,714 worth of trade with Chile in 1890 was carried under our own flag by the Pacific mail line of steamers.

But while it is perhaps true that, except in the case of special articles of farm production, we are not likely to extend exchange or sale to a great extent for some time, it is also true that, while Chile is a nonmanufacturing country and requires our illuminating oils, railway material and equipments, cloth and furniture manufactures, machinery and implements for the farm, scientific instruments, cordage, and various forest products, etc., agriculture in this country has both an indirect and, to some extent, a direct interest of gain in the supply and its steady increase; for the thrift of other great industries contributes through extended home demand to the fundamental one which tills the soil. And in an enlightened and prosperous community, such as that which directs the advance of our sister Republic, there will always, under favorable circumstances of intercourse, be more or less demand for the best we can supply.