From 1880 to 1977, the overall picture of employment in New York State has been one of reasonable stability. Within this general stability there have been great changes in sectors of employment. Agricultural employment has declined steadily and dramatically. The level of manufacturing employment has increased from 1880 to 1910 and has remained relatively steady in recent years. There have also been marked changes in the composition of the work force. From 1900 to 1970 the proportion of females employed increased by over 10%. One of the more marked differences was in the the proportion of black people employed. Employment among blacks reached its peak in 1910 when 62.6% were employed, while in 1970 only 35.3% were employed. Employment trends in upstate New York are shown to be more like those of the rest of the nation than like New York City and surrounding counties. (Author/RLV)