M.— AGRICULTURE. 



217 



figures show a decrease in the sheep population of over six millions. A 

 very large percentage of lambs is, however, sold before the month of June 

 each year and consequently escapes enumeration. Formerly this trade 

 was insignificant and lambs were kept until more matured when they were 

 included in the official statistics, but the production of, and the demand 

 for, early lamb has steadily increased since 1900. 



The figures published thirty years ago are, therefore, hardly com- 

 parable with those issued now. In other words, the sheep population in 

 1926 is greater than the official returns represent, but it would be difl&cult 

 to say to what extent the early lamb would increase the total figure. 



The following table, which has been taken from the Report of the 

 Agricultural Tribunal of Investigation, contrasts the increases which have 

 taken place in the live stock population of the principal European countries. 

 In every instance the increases are decided and in some cases, as for 

 example, Denmark, Holland and Belgium, most striking : — 



Live Stock Units. 



Germany between 1873 and 1912 shows an increase in stock units of 22 per cent. 



»» )» *» y> ^^ »» 



44 

 70 



At first sight the above table might appear to suggest that we were 

 poor followers. A truer perspective is, however, obtained by considering 

 the changes which have taken place in the stock population per 100 acres 

 of crops and grassland. 



Per 100 acres of Crops and Grass. 



It is evident that our live stock population has been maintained in 

 spite of severe overseas competition which has developed since the 

 nineties of last century. In 1890, 134,020 tons of beef were imported 

 into the United Kingdom in addition to 642,596 live animals which, 

 when expressed in their equivalent weight of meat, gave a total import of 

 310,734 tons. There was little change in the import of beef throughout 



