The numbers of growers decreased from 139,000 in 1891 to 124,000 in 1905.
There is some iron ore in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the state, and the mining of it was begun early in the 19th century; but the output decreased from 254,294 long tons in 1889 to only 26,585 long tons (all carbonate) in 1908.
The average size of the farms decreased from 125.2 acres in 1850 to 99.2 acres in 1880 and 88.5 acres in 1900.
In the meantime the crops of cereals increased little, and stock raising generally decreased.
The universal attack that has been made upon this pest has, however, largely decreased its numbers.
