THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 21 



titles of lamb were released from time to time for sale to the 

 public through the usual channels. Shipments during the year 

 amounted to 18,700 tons, as compared with 11,986 tons in 1916, 

 and 7,863 tons in 1915. 



''United States. — The latest returns published by the 

 United States Bureau of Statistics in January, 1918, estimate 

 the number of cattle at present in that country at 66,830,000 

 head, an increase of 3,100,000 (or 4.9 per cent.) over the previous 

 year's total of 63,700,000 head, and 18.2 per cent, more 

 than the low-water mark in 1913, when only 56,527,000 head 

 were recorded. Sheep were returned at 48,900,000 head, as 

 compared with 48,500,000 at the end of 1916. The figures in 

 respect of cattle indicate that steady progress is being made in 

 replenishing the herds of the United States, which had suffered 

 a steady and serious decline for several years prior to the war. 



"Exports of refrigerated meat showed further expansion dur- 

 ing the year, and amounted in aggregate to 95,430 tons, of 

 which 56,000 tons were shipped to the United Kingdom, 22,350 

 tons to the Continent, and 17,080 tons railed to Canada (pre- 

 sumably for shipment to Europe) as compared with 80,940 

 tons in 1916, of which 41,820 tons came to the United Kingdom, 

 and 39,120 tons went to the Continent. So recently as in 1913 

 the total export was only 437 tons. 



' ' In view of the comparative proximity of the United States to 

 this country, and its active participation in the war, an in- 

 creased export of meat may be expected from that quarter 

 during the coming year. 



Prospects. 



"The opinion is held almost universally that after the war 

 there will be a scramble amongst all the big consuming countries 

 of the world and some of the smaller nations which have not 

 previously been importers of meat, for a share in the world's 

 exportable surplus. High prices are anticipated as a conse- 

 quence of the keen competition to be looked for under such cir- 

 cumstances; and fears are freely expressed that the available 

 supplies will fall far short of the requirements of a Continent 

 which for some years has been reduced to very modest rations, 

 under the stress of war. 



"The outlook for supplies is, however, more than hopeful; 

 plenty is almost assured. The producing countries of the world 

 in Australasia, South America, North America and also South 

 Africa are being favoured with good seasons as a rule, they are 



