If we now compare the figures for 1895 with those for 1902, we find that the national agricultural expansion has never ceased during this second period of seven years. During this period, moreover, an important change occurred; one which encouraged production by placing exchange upon a solid basis: we refer to the law of monetary conversion, which gave paper a fixed value and abolished the discount which had hitherto affected all private commercial transactions. In comparing the figures of the years 1895 and 1902, we find that the progress was as follows:—— Products. 1895 1902 Increase in Seven Years. Acres Cultivated. Acres Cultivated. Absolute. Per cent. Wheat 5,062,717 9,124,449 4,061,732 80 Linseed 946,690 3,228,774 2,282,084 238 Maize 3,073,130 4,450,060 1,376,930 44 Lucerne 1,729,000 4,273,502 2,544,502 147 —————————— —————————— —————————— ——— Totals 10,811,537 21,076,785 10,265,248 94 It now remains to examine the third period, from 1902 to 1904-1905, the statistics of which are as follows:—— Products. 1902 1904-1905 Increase in Two Years. Acres Cultivated. Acres Cultivated. Absolute. Per cent. Wheat 9,124,449 12,110,706 2,986,257 33 Linseed 3,228,774 2,674,738 554,036 18 Maize 4,450,060 5,648,988 1,198,928 27 Lucerne 4,273,502 4,940,000 666,498 15 —————————— —————————— ————————— ——— Totals 21,076,785 25,374,432 4,297,647 21[41] [Footnote 41: This increase would amount to 73·5 per cent. in seven years, as compared with 94 and 105 per cent. for the two previous periods: but an average reckoned from two years is of course not reliable.——[TRANS.]] We see that, with the exception of linseed, the progress of agriculture has received no check; on the contrary, the figures speak of still greater expansion, attesting to the great economic future of the country. The culture of wheat, as we see, has increased by 2,986,257 acres; maize, by 1,198,928 acres; lucerne, by 666,498 acres. Unfortunately, the culture of linseed has suffered a decrease of 554,036 acres; a result to be attributed partly to low prices, and to the loss of a certain proportion of the previous crops.