196 



REPORT — 1855. 



It is more diflScult to arrive at any comparative results for the year 1855. Our 

 imports of Russian produce from the Baltic have usually been received almost 

 entirely in the last six months of the year, and the imports in the first six months of 

 past years are too inconsiderable to afford the means of judging of the relative im- 

 portance in each year. It is probable that the shipment of the articles from the 

 Prussian instead of the Russian ports in 1855, may so alter the time of arrival ia 

 this country, as to change considerably the proportions of our imports in the first 

 and second six months of the year. The commercial accounts from Russia report a 

 continued diminution of exports in the present year. There is no doubt that the 

 prices of Russian produce advanced considerably in expectation and upon the out- 

 break of war. Speculative apprehensions in this country appear to have created a 

 pressing demand for Russian produce, and induced a prevalence of high prices, and 

 a comparatively large import from all countries did not save the consumer from the 

 disadvantages of high prices. 



The high prices in 1854, consequent upon the interruption of commercial opera- 

 tions, have not been maintained in 1855 ; and in July 1855, the prices of tallow, flax, 

 and hemp in Russia are reported as lower than in December 1852. 



With reference to the fluctuations in the prices in England of the principal articles 

 of Russian produce for each year, it may be remarked that — 



In 1852, the range closely corresponded with the previous 1850 and 1851. 



In 1853, tedlow and hemp alone experienced any considerable rise. Tallow varied 

 from 44s. 3d. to 58s. 6d. against 35s. 6d. to 47s. 3d. per cwt. in 1852, and hemp from 

 £35 to ,€39 lOs. against ^'29 10s. to J?38 lOs. per ton in 1852. Tallow continued to 

 advance throughout the year, but hemp declined after the first four months. 



In 1854, all the articles rose in price, particularly upon the declaration of war in 

 March; and hemp was then very much advanced. In comparison with 1853, the 

 highest price for tallow was 67s- 6rf. against 58s. 6d. ; for flax, .^56 against ^41 ; 

 for hemp, £70 against .^39 10s. ; and for hnseed, 65s, against 48s, Tallow and 

 linseed remained high throughout the year, but flax and hemp soon fell, and con- 

 siderably towards the end of the year. 



In 1855 only linseed shows as high a price as in 1854, and it has advanced from 

 65s. to 7'2s. per quarter. Tallow has declined, and having been at 49s. 3d. or 10s. 

 below the lowest of 1854, was 55s. in August, or about 10s. below the highest in 

 1854. Hemp is also much lower, having been .^56 in January as compared with 

 .€70 in April 1854, and in August it was .^44 10s. Flax is quoted at £40 to £46 

 in August, against .£56 in May 1854. 



* After deducting the average imports from Prussia before the war. 



