i8o 



Agricultural Returns of 1903. 



98,263 cattle two years old and upwards, and of 18,292 

 younger animals, and although these figures were insufficient 

 to raise the total to a number equal to that recorded in 

 1 90 1, it is satisfactory to observe that there has been no 

 continuance of the diminution in the total which was a 

 noticeable feature of last year's returns. In the case of Ireland 

 the very high figure of 1902, which considerably exceeded that 

 of any previous year, was not maintained. A decrease occurred 

 in each category and amounted in the aggregate to 118,053. 



The following table gives the figures relating to sheep and 

 pigs :— 





Great Britain. 



Ireland. 



1903. 



1902. 



1903. 



1902. 



Ewes kept for Breeding ... ... , 



Other Sheep : — One year & abeve 

 [ ,, ,, Under one year 



No. 

 9,879, ioi 

 5,459,889 

 10,300,807 



No. 



9,999,171 

 5,523,7io 

 10,242,825 



No. 

 1,576,191 

 729,473 

 1,638,917 



No. 

 1,653,306 

 845,803 

 1,716,75^ 



Total of Sheep 



25,639,797 



25,765,706 



3,944,58i 



4,215,865 



Sows kept for Breeding ... ... | 



Other Pigs 



389,880 

 2,296,659 



349,000 

 1,950,567 



147,793 

 1,235,679 



141,671 

 1,185,939 



Total of Pigs 



2,686,539 



2,299,567 



1,383,472 



1,327,610 



The number of ewes kept for breeding in Great Britain in 

 1903 was less by 120,070, but the number of lambs was larger by 

 57,982, while the number of sheep over one year old was smaller 

 by 63,821. The net result of these changes was a decline of 

 one-half per cent, in the total numbers. In Ireland, however, 

 the reduction of the total flock was more substantial, and 

 amounted to over 6 per cent. 



The number of pigs returned in Great Britain was 2,686,539, 

 or 386,972 more than in 1902 — an increase of 16*8 per cent. 



