STATISTICAL SURVEY OF IRISH AGRICULTURE. 



311 



pions " showed a gradual decline from 79.; per cent, in that year to 66. i per 

 cent, in 1900; but in 1 901 the proportion shows a slight recovery to 66.4 

 per cent. Owing to the dryness of the season, the yield per acre (5.3 tons) 

 of the potato crop in 1901 was the highest in the twenty years 1 882-1 901, 

 following immediately on one of the lowest (2.8 tons) during the same 

 period. The very considerable yearly fluctuations in the produce per acre, 

 of this staple crop is shown in the following tabular statement i — 



Years 



Tons. 



Year 



Tons. 



Years, 



Tons 



1882 

 1883 

 1884 

 1885 

 1886: 

 1887 



2.4 

 4-3 

 3-8 

 4.0 



3-3 

 4-5 

 3-1 



1891, 

 1S92, 



1893. 

 1894, 



1895. 



3.6 



2-3 

 4.0 



3-5 

 4.2 

 2.6 

 4.9 



1897 

 1898 

 1899, 

 1900, 

 1901 

 Mean, 



3-S 

 2.2 

 4.4 

 4.2 

 2.8 

 5-3 

 3-7 



As a general basis for calculating the average annual value of Irish crops, 

 the following Table, prepared by Sir Robert Giffen for the Financial Rela- 

 tions Commission, affords a careful estimate : — 



