If now the influence of the separating elements is balanced with that
of the uniting elements experience shows the preponderance of the
farmer. This is expressed numerically by the departure of the relation
of prices from the ratio 1 : 15^. The mean ratio in 1866 was for the
last time below the one just mentioned, being 15.43. In 1874 it reached
16.17 ; in 1876 already 17.88 ; in 1889, 18.40 ; in 1885, 19.41 ; in 1886, 20.81 ;
in 1887, 21.15; in 1888, 22.01, and in 1889, 22.10. In consequence of the
silver speculation preceding the deliberations in the United States the
price of silver rose, the average for 1890 being 19.75. Under the influ-
ence of the present situation the ratio in 1891 was once more from 20
to 21.
