750 



EEPOKT 1881. 



sio-ns that in the future he will encounter an equally keen rivalry m the production 

 of flesh-meat. We have seen that, even witli the present averages, the real food-value 

 of cereals is enormouslv greater than that of the produce of the stock farm. It must 

 further be remembered that whilst the productiveness of stock is strictly limited, 

 that of the land devoted to corn and vegetables can be greatly increased by scientific 

 farmino- The late Mr. J. J. Mechi stated that from his farm (naturally much 

 below the average quality of soil) he obtained a return of 131. an acre, whilst the 



general one is but from 4Z. to 5^. , , , x ^i ^ 4. f±i 



In the matter of food, the poor and dear has been selected, to the neglect ot the 

 cheaper and better. The ignorant have taken cost as a measure of value, and, apmg 

 the luxurious habits of their wealthier neighbours, the poor are spending upon beef 

 and bacon the money which would be much better employed in the purchase of 

 the fruits of the earth. The diffusion of knowledge on the relative values of 

 various knnds of food may be expected to correct some of the evils arising from the 

 present popular errors as to tlie necessity of a flesh diet, or its superiority oyer 

 one derived ft'om fruits or cereals. The productiveness of the land might be im^ 

 proved by the removal of legislative hindrances to its free culture, and by returning 

 to it the excreta of our teeming populations. The encouragement of fruit-growing 

 is as legitimate an object of national concern as the development of fisheries. 



3. Beport of the Committee on the manner in ivhich Budimentapj Science 

 should he taught, and hoiu Examinations should be held therein, in Ele- 

 mentary Schools. — See Reports, p. 148. 



4. Agricifilural Statistics and Frospects. By Wm. Botlt, M.B.A.8. 



The paper gave in a tabular form the acreage of the various crops in 1880; 

 the number of cattle, sheep, pigs, and agricultural horses in the United Kingdom, 

 mth the increase or decrease under each head thereof, from which it appears that 

 in the year 1880 there is a decrease in the 



Acreage of corn of . i . • • 



Green crops 



Flax 



Hops 



Bare, fallow, and nncropped arable 

 Clover, and artificial grasses, under rotation . 

 Permanent pasture, exclusive of heath and 

 mountain land ..... 

 Orchards and gardens in two years . 

 Woods and plantations since 1872 have 



decrease 

 increase 

 decrease 

 increase 

 decrease 



• increase 

 increased 



Acres 



105,373 



125,263 



36,401 

 966 



90,514 



61,680 



321,187 



18,000 

 222,000 



Live Stock in 1880 



Cattle . • • • 



Pigs 



Sheep 



Horses used in agriculture 



decrease 90,383 



„ 314,618 



1998,338 



25,714 



Imports in 1880. 



Cattle, sheep, and swine, an increase of 136,942 



-W^qqI .... increase 49,230,785 lbs. 



Cheese .... decrease 15,665 cwts. 



Butter . . • • increase 274,196 „ 



