112 



Exports of British Live Stock. 



[may, 



effect in the eradication of bracken, but that when combined 

 with regular cuttings of the plant a great improvement has 

 been obtained. The most certain method of dealing with the 

 pest appears to be regular and careful cutting at monthly 

 intervals, commencing in the first week in June, and continuing 

 in the first week of July, August, and September. In this way- 

 it has been found that in a few years bracken, even of the 

 strongest growth, will have completely disappeared. Such 

 repeated cuttings, even if not commenced until the beginning 

 of Juty, have a very great effect. Where this method cannot 

 be carried out the best plan is to cut the bracken each year 

 as soon as it has reached full growth, usually from the beginning 

 to the middle of July. This method, however, will not ensure 

 such complete eradication, or this cannot, at least, be effected 

 until after a longer period. Cutting in August and September 

 has very little effect in most cases unless earlier cuttings have 

 been made. 



Unless cutting is commenced at the beginning ot June and 

 continued regularly, it is very desirable that the bracken should 

 be removed as soon as the cutting has been performed, as, 

 if left to lie on the ground, the rotting bracken greatly hinders 

 the formation of a firm grazing turf. 



During the Wsly the export of cattle, sheep and pigs for 

 breeding purposes was restricted to pedigree animals destined 

 for allied and some neutral countries. A 



^^^ive^Stock^^^^ 1^^^^^^ export was necessary, but this, 

 practically speaking, did not influence the 

 numbers which left the United Kingdom, although the difficulty 

 in obtaining shipping, high freights and extra risks, doubtless 

 limited the number exported. After the Armistice these 

 restrictions were removed, non-pedigree as well as pedigree 

 animals being allowed to go to allied countries. 



Prior to the War the bulk of the live stock exported (apart 

 from horses) went to America — mainly the United States and 

 Argentina — the majority being pedigree animals. In 191 3 

 nearly two-thirds of the cattle and sheep exported were sent 

 across the Atlantic. In 191 9, however, the numbers exported 

 to America were less than in the previous five years. 



On the other hand, a new trade in non-pedigree animals to 

 Europe arose in 191 9, the exports consisting largely of gifts to 

 Belgium, France, and Serbia, purchased through the " Relief 

 of the Allies " fund ; and the European Continent would proba- 

 bly have sought to purchase many more dairy animals but 



