1048 Agricultural Labour during December, [jan., 



Live Stock in Canada. — The numbers of live stock in 1919 were as 

 follows (the corresponding numbers in 1 91 8 being shown in brackets) : — 

 Horses, 3.667.369 (3,609,257) ; dairy cows, 3,547,437 (3,543,600) ; 

 other cattle, 6,536,574 (6,507,267) ; sheep, 3,421,958 (3,052,748) ; 

 pigs, 4,040,070 (4,289,682). [International Crop Report and Agricultural 

 Statistics, December, 191 9.) 



The monthly crop report of the Board on ist January was as 

 follows: — ^The weather of December was everywhere mild and wet, with 

 the result that little progress with the further seeding of the land could, 

 as a rule, be made. As the preceding months 

 Agricultural had been favourable to cultivation, however, 

 Conditions- in England work is practically everywhere forward for 

 and Wales the time of year. The young crops, where 



on 1st January. showing, are generally satisfactory, with the 

 exception of some wheat on low-ljdng land, 

 which has suffered a little from the wet. As compared with the same 

 period a year ago, it is estimated that the area at present sown with 

 wheat is slightly smaller ; while it is reckoned that one-fifth of the 

 ultimate wheat area yet remains to be seeded. 



In nearly all districts many fields of seeds are patchy and thin, 

 but reports of even and promising plants are more common, and on the 

 whole the position is fairly satisfactory, an improvement being very 

 generally reported. 



Turnips and swedes, though a small crop, are generally sound and of 

 good quality. 



The condition of ewes is fairly satisfactory ; and lambing prospects 

 in the earliest districts are regarded as favourable. Owing to the 

 scarcity of winter keep, especially hay and roots, stock are being fed 

 more sparingly than usual, and in many districts are somewhat lean 

 in consequence. Many cattle are still out at grass. 



Unskilled labour is generally sufiicient, but skilled men on the other 

 hand are scarce in all districts. 



The following local summaries give details regarding agricultural 

 labour in the different districts of England and Wales in December : — 



N or thumb er land, Durham, Cumberland, and 

 Agricultural Labour Westmorland. — The supply of labour is now 

 in England and Wales sufiicient as a rule, though in one or two 

 during December. districts there is not enough temporary labour 

 for turnip-lifting, and skilled labour is occa- 

 sionally scarce. 



Lancashire and Cheshire. — The supply of labour is sufficient in most 

 districts, but in some there is a scarcity of skilled men. 



Yorkshire. — The supply of labour is sufficient, but skilled men are 

 stni scarce. 



Shropshire and Stafford. — The supply of labour is, in general, 

 adequate, but in many distiricts more skilled men are needed. 



Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and Rutland. — In most districts there 

 is a shortage of experienced and skilled men ; the supply of unskilled 

 labour appears to be sufiicient. 



