and the Cattle Census. 



411 



And here, again, it is unsafe to draw any g-eneral conclusion 

 without strong grounds for an assurance that the above returns 

 are fairly comparable. To an ordinary observer there is no 

 apparent cause for any diminution of stock in the United 

 Kingdom. I am aware it has been held that the tendency 

 towards amalgamation of small holdings must inevitably have 

 the effect of decreasing the horned stock of the country ; but 

 this view does not harmonize with the generally received doc- 

 trines of the older political economists, and needs the most posi- 

 tive proof in its favour before it can be accepted. 



With the view of getting a more accurate idea of the distri- 

 bution of the different kinds of stock throughout the United 

 Kingdom than is conveyed by the mere absolute numbers, with- 

 out reference to their relative value when reduced to a common 

 basis, I subjoin a Table in which the proportion of stock to area 

 and also to population in the different divisions is exhibited. 



Distribution of Live Stock iu the United Kingdom in proportion to 

 Area and Population. 



We see here that of the several divisions of the realm Ireland 

 possesses the greatest number of cattle, England the greatest 

 number of sheep, our adjacent islands the greatest number of 

 pigs, and England the greatest number of stock of all kinds in 

 proportion to their several areas. Ireland also has more cattle 

 in proportion to her population than any of the other divi- 

 sions, while Scotland is richest in stock of all kinds in the same 

 regard. The foregoing Table would be more valuable for deduc- 

 tion if the area under cultivation, as distinguished from waste, in 

 each division were accurately known ; and here again the want 

 of a complete system of agricultural statistics is evidenced. At 

 present we can only proceed on the broad principle of approxi- 

 mation, which enables us to say that such and such things are 

 facts, and, ccetcris paribus, certain conclusions follow from those 

 facts ; the proviso assumed constituting the point upon Avhich 



