NOTES. 



417 



the decade 1880-90 the imports averaged round 300 million 

 cubic feet, with an average value of $75,000,000 ; and during 

 the last decade the following changes in amounts and values 

 took place : — 



Million Feet. Million Dollars. 



1 891 . 

 1894 . 



1896 . 



1897 . 



435 

 500 



455 



78 

 92 

 106 

 127 

 117 



— an increase in forty years by over 200 per cent, while the 

 population only increased 42 per cent. 



In France, which is also relying upon imports to a very 

 large extent (over 80 per cent in value), we find a still more 

 striking increase of wood consumption, as may be judged 

 from the statement of the values of wood imports, which were 

 as follows : — 



The wood exports increased during these seventy years from 

 4.5 million to 47 million fi-ancs, leaving, nevertheless, a total 

 increase in excess of imports by over 700 per cent to satisfy 

 the needs above home production, while the population in- 

 creased about 20 per cent in that period, the home produc- 

 tion slightly decreasing since 1870. 



