M.— AGRICULTURE. 



215 



butter, eggs and bacon is now one of the principal lines of agricultural 

 development. 



In the Union of South Africa the live stock industry appears to be on 

 the eve of important developments. The 1924 agricultural census showed 

 that the numbers of live stock in the Union included over 9,600,000 cattle 

 and 32,000,000 sheep. Hitherto the principal agricultural exports have 

 been hides and wool. In 1924 the value of the wool exported was 

 £15,763,953, while the export of hides and skins was valued at £3,196,959. 

 These two items constituted almost 58 per cent, of the total exports of 

 South Africa exclusive of diamonds and gold. On the other hand the 

 export of meats amounted to only £147,207 in value. South Africa has 

 its own peculiar difficulties to overcome, but with the improvement of 

 conditions of animal health together with progress in the methods of 

 refrigeration and transport there may eventually be great scope for South 

 Africa to follow in the steps of other Dominions and develop a trade 

 in meat as well as in hides and wool. 



The important position occupied by the live stock industry within the 

 British Empire is apparent from the previous outline. The dependence 

 of our home population upon foreign meat supplies may be visualised from 

 the fact that in 1927 over 700,000 tons of beef and mutton were imported 

 from South America alone. It is thus clear that great scope exists for 

 the development of the grasslands of the Empire as sources of meat 

 supplies competing with both home and foreign producers. Hitherto so 

 far as beef is concerned our home farmers have had to face the most 

 severe competition from the estancias of South America. It seems 

 probable, however, that in the future almost equally severe competition 

 may be experienced from the Dominions. 



It is important, therefore, that no effort should be spared to secure the 

 adoption of a policy of live stock improvement within these islands which 

 will enable us to face with confidence both existing and potential com- 

 petition, alike from the Dominions and from foreign countries. 



Let us now consider the position of live stock within the British Isles 

 from another aspect. Has our live stock population maintained its 

 numbers over a series of years and how does it compare with the acreage 

 under tillage for the same period ? 



Tilled Area of British Isles. 



Between 1871 and 1926 the tilled area of the British Isles declined by 

 37-1 per cent. The reduction which took place in the different portions 

 of these islands is shown by the following figures : — 



Area under Tillage in 1871 and 1926. 



