Parliamentary Publications. 



119 



year is followed by a diagram showing the variation's in the 

 estimated produce of wheat in Great Britain since official 

 statistics of the yield of crops were first collected, the fluctua- 

 tions in the acreage and average yield per acre being also 

 indicated. 



The returns of the numbers of live stock indicate a general 

 decrease between 1901 and 1902 among horses, cattle and 

 sheep ; pigs, on the contrary, showing an increase. The recent 

 reductions in the numbers of cattle and sheep having directed 

 special notice to the position of the live stock interest in Great 

 Britain, the fluctuations in the numbers and distribution of the 

 herds and flocks of the country have been made the subject 

 of a much wider comparison, contrasting the present position 

 with • that of thirty years ago. A new table is introduced 

 giving the figures and at pages XV. and XVI. two coloured 

 maps are given for cattle and sheep respectively, graphically 

 showing the percentage increases and decreases in each county 

 during the period from 1870 2 to 1900-2. 



The prices of corn in 1902 are given in detail for each of the 

 markets scheduled under the Corn Returns Act, 1882, and the 

 averages for England and Wales are tabulated for a long series 

 of years. The average prices for wheat and barley last year 

 were the highest recorded since 1898, while in the case of oats 

 it is necessary to go back to 1885 to find a higher annual 

 figure. 



The course of prices of live stock at certain markets in Great 

 Britain as returned under the Markets and Fairs (Weighing of 

 Cattle) Act, 1891, during the past five years is illustrated by a 

 diagram, and the substantial character of the rise which occurred 

 in the price of fat cattle during the second quarter of 1902 is. 

 clearly indicated. To the diminution in the imports of live 

 cattle and fresh beef from the United States is ascribed the 

 improved prices secured in Great Britain during a portion of 

 the year. 



Complete statistics relating to the imports and exports of 

 agricultural produce are again included in the volume. They 

 show a considerable and unusual diminution in the receipts of 

 live animals and dead meat, mainly due to the reduced supplies 

 from the United States. The reduction in the number of cattle 



