16 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



Government at times allowed to be delivered to co-operative 

 societies and municipal shops for civil consumption in Paris. 



"Partly as a result of the steady importation of frozen meat, 

 there was no further depletion of the French herds. On the 

 contrary, these are believed to have recovered lost ground dur- 

 ing the past year, and in July last the Census Returns accounted 

 for 12,443,304 cattle, 10,586,594 sheep, and 4,200,280 pigs- 

 totals which compare favourably with the figures for 1916. 

 Supplies of home-grown meat for the civil population were 

 accordingly fairly plentiful, and there was no question of any 

 serious shortage such as has been experienced in the United 

 Kingdom. In fact, during the Autumn, the Army Authorities 

 availed themselves to a certain extent of the extra supplies that 

 were being marketed to create a temporary reserve of frozen 

 meat, so far as the cold storage accommodation would allow. 

 Two meatless days per week Avere instituted from March until 

 September inclusive, after which period it was found possible 

 to discontinue this restriction. 



''Italy. — During 1917, the (piantity imported was greater 

 than in any preceding year ; but the still increasing demand 

 exceeded the supply, and it may be assumed that Italian herds 

 of cattle decreased during the year, in spite of the fact that the 

 two meatless days per week, instituted in May, 1915, are still 

 enforced. 



"The fleet of Italian-OA\nied refrigerated steamers is now of 

 some importance, and these vessels are proving of great utility 

 in the importation of the increased supplies required l)y the 

 Allied Armies now operating in Italy. 



Notes ox V.vrious Sources of Supply. 



"United Kingdom. — On paper, the herds and flocks of this 

 country were in a satisfactory position when the usual annual 

 census was taken on 4th June, 1917, by the Board of Agriculture. 

 The number of cattle at that date was 12,381,186 head compared 

 with 12,451.540 head in June, 1916, a reduction of only 0.5 per 

 cent, from the largest total on record. In the case of sheep the 

 figures were 27,867,244 in 1917, against 28,849,655 in 1916— 

 a reduction of 3.4 per cent, from one of the best years of the 

 present century. 



"Australia. — Weather conditions continued to be highly 

 favourable in all parts of the Commonwealth, and stock gener- 



