From reports of the Ontario Bureau of Industries I compile th lowing by way of showing the contrast in the crops of the past years. The figures apply to the Lake Erie counties:

Indian corn, beans, and buckwheat, the former two being ver portant crops in this district, were of such little consequence this that no returns as to acreage or yield appear in the report. The crop was a good one, the area under crop being greater, and the yiel acre being 1.56 tons, as compared with 1.20 tons in the previous All kinds of manufacturing have declined in keeping with the de in crops, the general stagnation being quite marked. As the exp from this district to the United States consist mainly of products o field and forest, the above will be sufficient to explain the contracti their volume during 1883–84.

I may say I do not see any valid grounds for expecting any cons able increase in the exports from my district in the immediate fu as, although the harvest seems to be a fair one, the price of grain is such as to give much stimulus to trade. The good crop will, howe undoubtedly tend to restored confidence.

IMPORTS.

The value of dutiable goods imported from the United States entered for Canadian consumption at this port during the year en June 30, 1884, according to returns of the customs department, $114,612. The following is a classification, a comparison, as far data will permit, being instituted with the returns of 1883:

The imports entered at the port of Wallaceburg during the year amounted to $26,647.

As by far the greater proportion of American goods sold here are not directly imported, but are purchased at second hand from dealers in the East, the above figures will not, it is probable, represent over 40 per cent. of the value of the American goods marketed in the district. An analysis of the above tabular statement shows that while the value of "free goods" imported has considerably declined, that of dutiable goods has largely increased, leaving the margin of total decline quite small. As the "free-goods" list comprises those seeds and animals so important to the farmers, and the raw commodities necessary for the manufacturers, the shrinkage of $15,439 indicates the severity of the depression through which this country is passing.

It will be noticed that the most important diminution has taken place in the imports of iron and hardware, cottons, and musical instruments, while the increase in the value of the items, breadstuffs, coal, provisions, gutta-percha goods, and fruits is marked.

I am of opinion that a good deal might be accomplished by way of increasing the direct importation of American-made goods, were the manufacturers duly impressed with the importance of the market, and would make an effort to cultivate the trade. It has been customary of late for Eastern dealers to sell to retailers here on exceptionally favorable terms, dating ahead, holding matured paper, and doing everything in their power to force sales and retain the trade. Recently numerous and heavy failures among the retailers, necessarily resulting in serious loss to the supply houses, have led to a more business-like course being adopted, and I think the natural revulsion that has set in renders the time opportune for American dealers to feel their way in the market.

There are many lines of goods which could be sold here at a profit, particularly those of first quality in their several lines, due discretion being exercised in their introduction. To illustrate my meaning: Common gas-fittings, such as are ordinarily used, are plentiful and cheap here, but when a superior quality in design, style, and finish was wanted for the new Government buildings erected here this season, they were purchased in New York City. Large quantities of American made rubber belting, packing, hose, wall-paper, furniture, dry goods, sundries, &c., enter into consumption here. Edge tools, particularly those of fine quality, and mechanics and artisans' supplies, of American manufacture, are favorites.

Chatham is favorably situated for trade with Detroit and ports on the lakes, by water, and has good railway connections, thus insuring low rates of freight; and its proximity to the line would permit of orders being as promptly filled as from the Eastern Canadian cities.

I would be pleased to be of service in any way that would contribute to the increased sale of our manufacturers' products in my district. H. C. BUFFINGTON, Commercial Agent.

U.S. COMMERCIAL AGENCY,

Chatham, Ontario, August 1, 1884.

CHANGES IN CANADIAN CUSTOMS.

The American consul at Ottawa transmits copies of four orders in council, making certain changes in the Canadian customs, as follows:

order no. 1, DATED APRIL 19, 1884.

Ordered, That the charges to be calculated and taken as part of the value for duty of all sugars, molasses, sirups, and other similar products, shall include all export and other duties imposed by competent authority, and the cost of all packages, with expense of cooperage, packing, cartage, and other transportation charges, warehouse rent and fire insurance, brokerage and commission, and all other charges or expenses of every kind whatsoever actually chargeable before and up to the time when such sugars, molasses, or sirups or other similar goods are placed on board the ship or other conveyance in which the same are intended to be transported to Canada, and also the full amount of any drawback as provided by section 70 of the said "customs act, 1883," save and except that commission not exceeding 24 per cent. may be allowed and not so included in the value for duty on all sugars not over No. 14 Dutch standaed, imported direct without transshipment from the country of growth and production by sugar refiners for refining purposes.

ORDER No. 2, dated April 22, 1884.

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That steel of No. 20 gauge and thinner, but not thinner than No. 30 gauge, to be used in the manufacture of corset steels, clock springs, and shoe-shanks, be, and the same is hereby, placed on the list of articles that may be imported into Canada free of customs duty when imported by the manufacturers of such articles for such use in their own factories.

ORDER NO. 3, DATED MAY 12, 1884.

That cotton yarns finer than No. 40, unbleached, bleached, or dyed, and not finer than No. 60, for the manufacture of Italian cloths and worsted fabrics, be, and the same are hereby, placed on the list of articles that may be imported into Canada free of customs duties, such free importation to continue until after the next ensuing session of the Parliament.

That the order in council, dated 19th April, 1884, declaring the charges to be included in the value for duty of sugar, molasses, &c., be, and the same is hereby, amended by adding thereto the following words, namely: "Provided further, that when a whole invoice of such sugar, molasses, sirup, and other similar products, is transferred prior to entry for duty by the importer thereof to a sugar refiner for refining purposes the same allowance of not exceeding 24 per cent. commission may be made."

COMMERCE OF RHEIMS WITH THE UNITED STATES.

REPORT BY CONSUL FRISBIE.

The commerce of Rheims with the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, shows the remarkable decrease of $1,771,135.77 from that of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883. This decrease has been entirely (and more by $96,32:.14) in the export of champagne sparkling wine, which, by the invoices presented and legalized at this consulate, shows a decrease of 149,338 cases (1,792,056 quarts), of the value of $1,867,457.91. The total export of champagne to the United States for the fiscal year just closed being 193,386 cases (2,320,632 quarts), of the value of $2,400,718.44, against 342,724 cases (4,112,688 quarts), of the value of $4,617,113.50, for the fiscal year ending June 30,

1883. The export of woolen dress goods to the United States shows an increase of $101,683.22, and the export of willow, raw and manufactured, shows a decrease of $11,296.67 while the total of all other exports show an increase of $5,935.59; the total exports to the United States showing a decrease of $1,771,135.77, as above stated.

The following table is an exhibit of the total exports from this consular district to the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884:

There are several reasons advanced by the wine merchants for this large decrease in the export of champagne to the United States, among which are the material increase of the import duty which took effect July 1, 1883, the large shipments made during April and May, 1883, in order to get the wines entered before the increased duty took effect, and for the further important reason that a very good sparkling wine is now made in the United States from native growths, and that the Americans are largely using the native wine in preference to that of foreign importation.

AMERICAN VS. FRENCH CHAMPAGNE.

Some of this American sparkling wine has been received, as samples to be tested, by dealers in the champagne country, and one of the most extensive and best known champagne merchants at Rheims informed me a short time since that he had had a bottle of this wine, and that he had found it very good indeed, and there was no ignoring the fact that in the near future it would prove a formidable competitor to the wines of Champagne in the American market, if, indeed, not also in other markets. I am glad to note this fact, as I am always pleased to see American products and interests coming to the front. In this connection I beg to advise the American manufacturers of sparkling wines to use American labels on their bottles, and in no way attempt to copy after those used on the bottles of imported wines. The use of an independent American label will be largely to their advantage in the near future, when they shall have established a reputation for their wines. The reputation of their wines and the property value of the label should be made at one and the same time; indeed, there would seem to be a necessity in this.

JOHN L. FRISBIE,

Consul.

Rheims, France, July 8, 1884.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,

AMERICAN SUGAR AND COFFEE PLANTERS WANTED IN SAMOA, REPORT BY CONSUL CANISIUS, OF APIA.

It seems a pity that these islands, whose trade we ought almost to monopolize, send us nothing but copra. Thousands of acres of fine land, which could be made to produce immense quantities of sugar, coffee, and other valuable tropical products, of which the natural market would be San Francisco, are allowed to remain idle. Experienced planters here say that the climate of these islands, as well as the soil, particularly adapts them for sugar growing. The moisture is always abundant, so that the planter would not need to stand in dread of drought.

If some of our sugar or coffee merchants, with sufficient capital, will establish plantations on these islands, I may safely predict that Samoa will become, in a very short time, a second Hawaii.

They could adopt a plan, which works admirably in other groups, namely, that of dividing up the land into small lots, to be apportioned out among Chinese settlers, the owners to say what kind of crop is to raised. The Chinese in return would pay over a certain portion of their produce as rent, and sell the remainder to the proprietor, purchasing their supplies at his store. This is undoubtedly the most practical plan, besides a larger amount of produce would be raised if the laborers were directly interested in the crop. Thus would these islands yield large quantities of one of the most marketable productions of the tropics.

When the Panama canal is opened, which event M. de Lesseps fixes for 1888, the importance of the Samoan group will increase vastly to all nations having trade with Australasia, and especially to the United States. Pagopago, the finest natural harbor in the South Seas (and where the United States naval station is situated), lies almost in the direct line of that great stream of commerce which will some day find its way through the Isthmus of Darien from our Atlantic sea coast and Europe to Australasia.

Even now the Pacific mail steamers, plying between San Francisco and Auckland, pass within a few miles of this harbor, and when the increased trade which would spring up with the establishment of American plantations in the group makes it profitable enough, will no doubt call there, as they now do at Honolulu.

The Fiji group will also benefit by the opening of the Panama canal, but never to such an extent as to Samoa, for vessels cannot venture amongst its dangerous rocks, reefs, shoals, and intricate passages without considerable risk, especially as Fiji is directly in the "hurricane track,” which is not the case with the Samoan group. Besides, in this latter group there are no outlying dangers, every reef and rock is close to the shore of the larger islands, and the few dangers which do exist are plainly visible to the mariner. Therefore, let our merchants see what they can do to secure commercial control over the group before it is too late. What is most needed is the establishment by Americans of sugar or coffee plantations here, for Samoa is an exclusively agricultural country, and these two articles, in such great demand in the United States, are certain to become her great staples. American planters and American merchants must march together, the planter in the van, with the merchant backing him closely up. This is the only way I can devise of increasing our trade with the islands, which at present produce little or nothing which finds a good, steady sale in our markets. T. CANISIUS,

UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Apia, March 31, 1884.

Consul.