RISE OF IMPORTS 35 



is due in part to increased consumption per 

 head accompanying a general rise in the 

 standard of H\Tng, and is in itself positive 

 evidence of the great improvement in the 

 economic condition of the mass of the people. 

 But it also connotes a failing production of 

 these commodities at home. 



Diminished Area of Crops. 



The following table shows the crop distri- 

 bution of cultivated land in England and 



Wales since 1S66 : — 



