CHAPTER XXV. 

 POPULATION AND DEPOPULATION. 



VERY interesting and very serious questions arise for 

 discussion in this chapter. First, as to the existing 

 population in the United Kingdom engaged in purely 

 agricultural pursuits or in occupations directly connected 

 with agriculture, it is obvious that no return later than 

 that derivable from the census of 1901 is yet obtainable. 

 The colossal work of obtaining the necessary informa- 

 tion could only be accomplished by the machinery of 

 a Government department. Nevertheless, the informa- 

 tion obtained in 1901 on this subject, whilst of very great 

 interest, though not exactly conveying what is the present 

 number of the purely agricultural population, will give 

 at least an approximate idea of that number. But from 

 indications from many districts it may be assumed that 

 the process of depopulation which has been going on for 

 so long a time is continuing. 



In the census table which follows we have embodied 

 in one account, for clearness and convenience of reference, 

 the information given in three tables by the Board of 

 Trade. 



It must be particularly noted that the figures given in 

 the following table are exclusive of woodmen, non- 

 domestic gardeners, nurserymen, seedsmen and florists, 

 who, nevertheless, are returned in the census accounts 

 as persons occupied in agricultural pursuits ; but they 

 do not come within the category of the agriculturists 



with which this volume is dealing. But even thus re* 



is? 



