THE UNITED KINGDOM. 77 



COST OF TRANSPORTATION TO THE UNITED STATES. 



I note the cost of transit and attendance on stock as estimated from 

 the consular reports of Dundee and Liverpool, and confirm them as 

 approximations that may be taken as a guide to fluctuating circum- 

 stances. 



Upon inquiry I learn that the ordinary rates for the transportation of 

 cattle from London to New York are as follows : Bulls and cows alike, 

 5 to 8, according to demand; calves under 12 months, 3 to 4. 

 Above 12 months the charges are the same as for bulls and cows. 



Under the British passenger act steamships cannot carry more than 

 ten head of cattle if more than fifty steerage passengers are on board. 



CATTLE CENSUS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. 



The proportions of the different breeds of cattle, and between the 

 numbers of stock that are being reared and fattened for meat and for 

 the production of milk, are partly given in the official reports, but any 

 estimate thereon must be accepted only with great reserve. 



The total number of cattle in Great Britain and Ireland in 1883 was 

 5,962,771. 



EXPORTS OF BRITISH CATTLE. 



The export of cattle from Great Britain and Ireland to other coun- 

 tries is confined to selections of breeding animals, which, relatively small 

 in numbers, is yet so important from the wide area of demand, that 

 many English and Scotch breeders are restricting their offers of stock, 

 feeling the necessity of reserving their animals for home use. This is 

 especially the case in respect to Scotch Polled, Norfolk and Suffolk 

 Polled, and the Hereford breeds. 



The proportion of pedigree stock kept by farmers is still very small 

 compared with the general purpose stock, often pure bred but unregis- 

 tered, and the various cross-breeds that are commonly preferred both 

 for meat production and milk. 



In the table of weights (inclosure 17) it will be seen that the cross- 

 breeds head the list for their daily increase. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



In these concluding remarks, I refer with pleasure to the assistance 

 I have received from Mr. Kains-Jackson in making my inquiries, and 1 

 desire to put on record my sincere acknowldgements to my several 

 correspondents for their frank and courteous kindness in giving me 

 full information which, from their great resources and experience, was 

 especially valuable. 



E. A. MEKBITT, 



Consul- General. 

 UNITED STATES CONSULATE-GENERAL, 



London, January .31, 1884 



