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XXIL— AGRICULTURAL RETURNS. 



AGRICULTURAL returns for England and Wales were first taken in 

 1866 on March 5th, while the returns in 1867 and following years 

 were taken on the 25th of June ; this date was changed in 1880 to the 

 4th of June, at which it remains. 



In 1866 the schedules were issued to occupiers of five acres of 

 land and above, but the following year they were issued to all occupiers 

 of land and owners of stock — they are now issued to occupiers of more 

 than one acre of land. At first there was a great disinclination on the 

 part of some farmers to furnish the desired information, but West- 

 morland was not one of the delinquent counties in this respect. In 

 1867 the number of returns obtained was 3,373, in 1875, 3,624, and in 



1895. 3.951- 



In 1887 one farm (arable) was returned as unoccupied and its 

 extent 8 acres, in fact this is the only one recorded in the returns 

 — so great is the demand for land. 



The number of cattle and sheep per 1000 acres in the county in 

 1905 was : cattle 140 and sheep 762. 



In 1884 the only return was made that we have for poultry, when 

 the numbers were : Turkeys 1,430, geese 12,796, ducks 10,370, and 

 fowls 65,115. 



