93Q Cruelty in the Destruction oe Animals, [feb, 



the whole more complete than any others relating to agricul- 

 tural production. 



From a calculation based on the information available in 

 1908, it appears that the wheat area of the world cannot now 

 fall far short of 240,000,000 acres. Of this vast area it would 

 seem, so far as the figures permit comparison, and making 

 some allowances for a probable progress in the direction of 

 greater comprehensiveness and more complete accuracy in 

 the collection of returns, that about 45,000,000 acres have been 

 added within the past fifteen years. 



An estimate of the increase of the wheat-eating population 

 of the world is practically impossible, and consequently the 

 relation of increased supply to increased demand cannot be 

 expressed statistically. The course of the world's price, 

 allowing for seasonal disturbances, would no doubt be the 

 best index of any pressure of population on the means of 

 subsistence, whether as regards wheat or any other product, 

 but so far as figures are available they suggest that at the 

 present time the total area under wheat is quite sufficient, with 

 a normal harvest, to supply the demand. 



Mr. Rew also discusses the changes which have taken place 

 since' 1878 in the number of cattle, sheep and pigs in Europe, 

 the British Colonies and in other countries. 



As regards horses a survey over the same period shows that 

 there has been a substantial addition to the stock of horses in 

 those countries for which figures are available. In Europe 

 the number of horses appears to have increased in the 30 years 

 from about 35 to 41 millions, while some 2 millions seem to 

 have been added in the British Colonies and upwards of 

 12 millions in Argentina and the United States. 



The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have had their 

 attention drawn to the unnecessary cruelty to animals, which 

 arises through the improper and indis- 

 Prevention of Cruelty criminate use of traps and snares. Any 

 in the Destruction carelessness in trapping which may 

 of Animals. i ea d to suffering in the animals caught 



deserves severe censure, and the Board 

 think that if the provisions in existing Acts of Parliament 



