772 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION M. 



table showing the distribution of the total area of land in Scotland and the 



numbers of live stock : 



Arable land 1728% 



Permanent grass 7-82% 



Rough grazings 47-97% 



Woods and plantations 4*47% 



Eemaining area 22-46% 



Cattle 1,215,000 



Sheep 7,026,000 



Pigs 153,000 



III. A. Economic causes tending to decrease demand and lower prices of 

 agricultural produce : 



(1) Depletion of the population of the countries at war. 



(2) Destruction of capital, probably causing some industrial depression. 



(3) Temporary disturbance of labour market and increase of unemployment, 

 owing to return of soldiers to civilian life. 



(4) Taxation will be high. 



(5) Habits of thrift may be engendered. 



B. Causes operative in diminishing supplies, or otherwise raising prices : 



(1) Neglect or devastation of agricultural land, resulting in lasting 

 deterioration. 



(2) Depletion of stock. 



(3) Destruction of buildings, horses, implements, and all forms of farm 

 capital. 



(4) Freights may continue to be high. 



(5) Owing to a certain loss of men who were skilled agriculturists, the 

 occupation or working of land may fall to less experienced persons. 



(6) With a reduction in the number of farm workers, following on heavy 



emigration, the rise in wages will probably be maintained. 



(7) The growing demand for meat by the United States may decrease 

 imports to this country. 



(8) European countries will probably compete with us for supplies of chilled 

 and frozen meat. 



Balancing these two sets of factors, it appears Ukely that prices, both of 

 bread and of meat, will be relatively high, and though costs may also be high, 

 increased production will be economically advantageous to the farmer. 



IV. Speaking generally, such increase may be either of A. bread or B. meat. 



A. Some increase of the wheat area may take place, but in Scotland this 

 area is limited, owing to conditions of soil and climate. 



B. There is room for expansion in the numbers, and improvement in the 

 quality, of stock ; this improvement will take place along the lines, scientific and 

 administrative, now being pursued. Increase in the numbers will be affected 

 by the following factors : 



(1) Improvement of grazing land. 



(2) Restriction of the area exclusively devoted to sport, always with due 

 regard to ratepayers' interests. 



(3) Increased growth of turnips, oats, and other foodstuffs for winter- 

 feeding; this will involve an extension of the arable area or a 

 shortening of rotations, and an increased use of labour-saving appliances. 



(4) Some increase in the growth of forage crops. 



(5) A more general knowledge of the proper use of food-stuffs. 



(6) An increase in the numbers of home-bred store stock. 



(7) An increase in the numbers of pigs and poultry. 



These developments will lead to greater advantage being taken of existing 

 or new agencies of agricultural education, to an extension of co-operation, 

 especially among small-holders, and possibly to a demand for cheaper means of 

 railway or other transport facilities. 



f^..- 



CI 



eniific Aid to the Stock-feeder. By Professor T. B. Wood, 



