TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION F, 705 



By reference to the cbarts it will be seen that after 1861 prices grew steadily 

 more stable, thoup:b with a marked upward tendency, due to the inflation of the 

 rupee currency. In the last thirty years the price of wheat oscillates between 

 a maximum of 9 seers and a minimum of 25 seers to the rupee, and barley between 

 the limits of 12 seers and 38 seers. This comparative stability is due to improve- 

 ment in the means of communication. In the earlier half of the nineteenth 

 century every town and villap-e constituted an isolated and independent market ; 

 nowadays, owing to metalled roads and railways, there is practically one price for 

 grain all over India. 



It may be objected that the figures I have given are only for cereal crops, 

 which are particularly exposed to the vicissitudes of climate, and that I have not 

 shown that all prices were liable to these fluctuations. In a country so wholly 

 agricultural as India, the prices of grain are almost the only prices available. I 

 have, however, been able to find a record of the price of one article of general 

 consumption which is not affected by the causes which produce famine prices in 

 cereals. Table IV. gives the price oi §fln in Pilibhit from 1813 to 1854, which is 

 represented on a price-curve that reveals very considerable fluctuations. This is 

 the more remarkable because ffki belongs to that class of commodities the supply 

 of which cannot be very largely increased or decreased in a short space of time'; 

 the fluctuation in price is therefore probably due in part to a fluctuation in demand, 

 and thus illustrates the contention that before 1860 the tendency of silver prices 

 in India was to fluctuate, and not, as is sometimes contended, to be stable. 



5. The DejMjJulation of Ireland : its Causes and Economic Results. 

 By J. H. Edgar, A£.A. 



The decrease in the population of Ireland still continues, and is attracting 

 serious attention. The population in 1901 was 4,458,775. In 1800 it was 

 five millions, and in 1846 over eight and a half millions. The great increase in 

 the first half of the century was the result of the extreme subdivision of the soil, 

 consequent on the rise of prices during the French war. There was no standard 

 of comfort to act as a restraining influence on the increase of numbers. The 

 country was in danger of becoming a pauper warren. Landlords commenced to 

 save the situation by consolidating the holdings, and were aided in this end by the 

 famine of 1846, which struck down over 700,000. The famine and the consolidating 

 policy were the chief factors in the phenomenal emigration of the next few years ; 

 reference to census table to show results. From the year 1854 to the year 1875 

 the consolidation of the small holdings and the change from tillage to pasture 

 were the chief causes of the falling numbers. Sketch of the Landed Estate Court, 

 its object and ultimate results — increased severity of evictions, and the conse- 

 quent changes in the population. 



In Ireland there are no great industries to check emigration. Halt at 1875 to 

 show by reference to quick changes in agricultural prosperity the importance of 

 agriculture on the numbers of the people. 



Increased decline in decade 1881-91 and its causes. General insecurity in 

 land tenure — mighty inSuence on emigration, Ireland's loss can only be ex- 

 plained by local causes. Influence of taxation. 



Consequences — benefit to emigrants. To residue — wages high. This is now 

 itself a cause of decline of tillage. Poverty less. Keference to Savings Bank 

 returns. More cattle and land per head of population, but decline in horses ; 

 gratifying increase in poultry. Joint-stock banks show steady and great pro- 

 gress. Many explanations of above. Unsatisfactory increase of unproductive 

 classes. _ The country has got rid of weight of paupeVs of famine time, and the 

 emigration ought to be stayed. Any further loss must be mischievous. 



1902. 



z z 



