274 The Agricultural Population. [aug. ? 



185 i, the numbers have, as far as possible, been rendered com- 

 parable : — 



Year. 



IVlales Engaged 

 in Agriculture. 



Percentage of 



1 ULal l>ldlCo 



Aged 10 Years 

 and Upwards. 



Females Engaged 

 in Agriculture. 



Percentage of 

 Total F emales 

 Aged 10 Years 

 and Upwards. 



1851 



1,544,087 



23'5 



168,652 



2 -4 



1861 



i»539,965 



21 '2 



115,213 





1871 ... 



1,371,304 



16-8 



85,667 



i*o 



1881 



1,288,173 



13*8 



64,216 



•6 



1891 



i,233'936 



u-6 



51,045 



"4 



i9>i 



1,153,185 



9*5 



38,982 



'3 



The above summary shows that the numbers of both sexes en- 

 gaged in agricultural pursuits have declined continuously through- 

 out the last half century. During the last ten years the males 

 have decreased from 1,233,936 to 1,153,185, or by 6*5 percent.,, 

 following on a decrease of 4*2 per cent, between' 1881 and 1891 ; 

 and the females have declined from 51,045 to 38,982, or 23*6 

 per cent., following on a decrease of 20*5 per cent, in the 

 preceding intercensal period. This decline in the numbers is 

 illustrated in the report by a table extracted from the returns of 

 this Department, showing the large amount of arable land, 

 viz., 780,000 acres, which has ceased to be cultivated as arable 

 during the past ten years. 



The number of persons returned in 1891 as farmers or 

 graziers was 223,610, or 333 less than the number in 1881. At 

 the recent Census the number so classified was 224,299. The 

 figures for 1901 include fruit, hop, and potato growers, and 

 poultry farmers, who were formerly classed under other headings. 

 Probably, if the number of these in 1891 could be added to the 

 figures for that Census, the heading would show a decrease in 

 1901. The figures returned since 185 1 indicate, however, that 

 the number of holders of farms has not materially declined 

 during the half-century, but as the report of the Census 

 proceeds to show, the same cannot be said with regard to the 

 workers on the farms. The total number of such workers, 

 including farmers' male relatives assisting in the work of the 

 farm, bailiffs, foremen, shepherds, agricultural labourers, and 

 farm servants at each of the last six Censuses, is shown in the 



