461 



likely to be a serious competitor for supplies. Formerly, all 

 surplus poultry from Holland went to that country. 



In 1913 France was responsible for 3} per cent, of the eggs 

 imported into the United Kingdom, whereas in 1919 the 

 supplies from this source were insignificant. The margin of 

 eggs and poultry available for export was always relatively 

 small, owing to high consumption at home, and it does not seem 

 likely that any great supplies will be derived from this source. 



The three countries w^hich have sent the greatest volume of 

 supplies since 1914 are Egypt, Canada and the United States of 

 America. As far as can be anticipated, imports of eggs from 

 Canada and Egypt will continue, unless prices fall very heavily, 

 but it is unhkely that the United States will under normal condi- 

 tions ship eggs to the same extent as during the War. although 

 she may maintain export of poultry. The imports of eggs in 

 1919 from Egypt, Canada and the United States only repre- 

 sented 17 per cent, of the total imports in 1913, so that they do 

 not present a serious factor in competition with the home 

 market. 



Large as were the imports in 1913, the actual quantities rela- 

 tively to the population were small. Before the War 56 eggs 

 per head of the population were imported, while in 1918 and 

 1919 the imports were respectively 7 and 14 eggs per head. 

 There is therefore not only an imperative need for production 

 to meet the shortage of imported supplies, but also to provide 

 for an anticipated increased demand. At the last poultry census 

 of which a report has been pubhshed (1908), there was only about 

 three-quarters of an adult fowl per acre of cultivated land in 

 England and Wales. In the opinion of the writer an increase of 

 about one and one-third of the total number of adult fowls would 

 make up for the reduction in imports. 



The extent of the change since 1908 cannot be estimated. 

 In 1917, when feed began to be scarce and dear, there was 

 probably some reduction in the number of poultry maintained, 

 but at the present time it is likely that an increased number of 

 people are keeping poultry as compared with the inimber before 

 the War. 



Extension of production would be most easily attained upon 

 farms, and the number of farm poultry could ])robably be 

 increased threefold without causing displacement of other stock 

 or interference with crops. Owing to the large amount of 

 natural food obtainable by poultry on an open range, the costs 

 of feeding and equipment are comparatively low, and this is tlio 

 most economic and profitable method of production, whether of 



