THE PRICE OF WHEAT 



157 



TABLE XXII. 



EUROPEAN WEEKLY DISTRIBUTION OR DELIVERIES TO 



CONSUMPTION OF IMPORTED WHEAT. 



(In thousands of quarters.) 



Note. During the period from August, 1913, calendar 

 months were taken, and careful allowance was made for the 

 varying duration in calendar months, whereas, formerly, periods 

 of four or five weeks were taken. 



But while it is necessary to note the change in the method 

 of compilation, the result is not appreciably affected, and the 

 statistics are comparable. 



7. Price of English Wheat.* 



In normal times the price of English wheat, as 

 explained above, should not show violent fluctuations. 

 From the commencement of the Napoleonic Wars until 

 the middle of last century, price fluctuated over very 

 wide ranges throughout, with few exceptions. In 1790, 

 the monthly average Gazette price was 6s. 6d. per bushel, 

 and during the next twenty-five years violent variations 

 in price were registered. Rising from 9s. lOd. in 1796, 

 to 14s. lid. in 1801, after a temporary fall in 1798, price 

 reached the fabulous figure of 15s. lOd. in 1812. Fluctu- 

 ations continued almost without cessation on a violent 

 scale until after the middle of the century; but the 



*For index numbers of the prices of English and New Zealand 

 wheat see Table XXXVIII. Appendix I. 



