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IMPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IN 1902. 



The following tables, which have been compiled from the 

 Trade and Navigation Returns, show the quantities and 

 values of the principal articles of agricultural produce imported 

 into the United Kingdom during the past year compared with 

 similar imports for 1901. 



The receipts of live animals and dead meat, which are set out 

 in Table I., exhibit a considerable diminution, the decrease in 

 each case being due to smaller supplies from the United States. 

 In the case of cattle, 324,431 head were received from that 

 country, or 81,273 less than in the previous year. Canada, our 

 only other source of supply, apart from the Channel Islands 

 sent us 93,674 head. The number of sheep received from the 

 United States was 233,227, which, compared with 1901, when 

 the numbers were larger than on any previous occasion, showed 

 a decline of 66,925. Canada accounted for 55,029 compared 

 "with 68,010 head in the previous year. The average value per 

 head of the cattle imported in 1902 was £iS 12s. 7d., and of 

 sheep £1 1 is., as against £17 16s. nd. and £1 10s. 7d. re- 

 spectively in 1 90 1. 



The same causes which reduced our supply of cattle from the 

 United States also influenced the trade in fresh beef, and only 

 2,290,465 cvvt. were received from that country, as against 

 3,180,291 cwt. in 1901. The decline in these exports is to be 

 attributed to the shortage of the maize crop — the principal feed- 

 ing stuff— which decreased the supply of fat cattle in the 

 American markets, particularly in the summer months. 

 Throughout the greater part of the year the prices- of beef 

 cattle in the United States were, in consequence, very high, and 

 in spite of the increased prices prevailing in Great Britain at 

 the same time, it is questionable whether the rise was propor- 

 tionately as great as in the United States, a fact which 



