and the Cattle Census. 399 



of Parllamenl, notliing^ was clone towards the establisliment of the 

 much-needed org^anization to supply the national deficiency. 



But a powerful auxiliary had already entered the field in the 

 g-uise of the International Statistical Congress, which, at its first 

 meeting- in Brussels, in 1853, formulated its opinion on the im- 

 portance of agricultural statistics. At the subsequent meeting 

 of the Congress in Paris, the fact that Great Britain had still no 

 information to offer with regard to its food supply, could not have 

 been otherwise than humiliating to her representatives on that 

 occasion. And when the Congress held its meeting in London, 

 in 18(50, the late illustrious Prince Consort, in his capacity of 

 President, was constrained to acknowledge, in the presence of 

 the most distinguished statists of Europe, then congregated 

 before him, our unpardonable laches on a question of such vital 

 importance. 



During the sittings of the London Congress, both Mr. Caird 

 and the Registrar-General of Ireland (Mr. Donnelly) contri- 

 buted very valuable papers on agricultural statistics, and after an 

 interesting discussion,* the Congress unanimously adopted the 

 following propositions : — 



1. That it is desirable in every state to determine the quantities 

 of the principal kinds of produce annually. 



2. That in the case of agriculture the area of the land under 

 each crop should be annually returned, and a return of the live 

 stock obtained not less frequently than once in every five years, 

 and if possible every year. The quantity of the produce should 

 also be estimated. The means to be employed should vary 

 according to the circumstances of each state ; but especial care 

 should be taken to avoid exciting the prejudices or apprehensions 

 of cultivators by unnecessary inquiries. 



Mr. Donnelly's testimony with regard to the working of the 

 system in Ireland is most valuable, and ought to be conclusive 

 upon the perfect practicability of obtaining similar information 

 in Great Britain. We quote his words in their entirety, since, if 

 duly weighed and considered, they can hardly fail to remove the 

 prejudices of those who are still in fear that the tax-gatherer or 

 the landlord may be seeking to take advantage of them : — 



" I may mention that the information contained in these statistics 

 has been given with the greatest good will. I have now been in 

 London some weeks for the purpose of attending this Congress. I 

 receive daily reports from my office in Dublin, and am informed that 

 up to the present time there has not been a single objection this year 

 made by any man in IJreland to give the required information to the 



* Report of Lor.don Session of International Statistical Congress, pp. 314-319. 

 VOL. IT. — S. S. 2d 



