Sept. 1894.] EXTRACTS FKOM DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR 83 



REPORTS. 



was 10 years ago ; the amount sent abroad in the 'Eighties being 

 often over 982,000 cwts. This is explained by the fact that 

 Danish millers are unable to find an outlet for one-half the quan- 

 tity of flour they formerly sold, exports to the English market 

 having virtually ceased owing to American, German, and French 

 competition. The same is the case with Sweden owing to the 

 duty on flour levied in that country. At the same time the 

 imports into Denmark of foreign flour have risen to 167,000 cwts., 

 against an average for the last 10 years of 68,750 cwts. 



The large imports of Black Sea barley are referred to as being 

 likely to exercise a serious effect, should it find its way to the 

 breweries, which have hitherto been the best customers for the 

 home-grown cereal. 



The largest imports of foreign grain are under maize, of which 

 over 2,860,000 bushels were imported ; of this, 1,500,000 bushels 

 went to the distilleries. 



During the autumn and winter considerable shipments of 

 pressed hay and straw were exported by way of Esbjerg at good 

 prices. 



Exports of cattle, sheep, and swine all show a falling oft', but 

 in the case of the last the decrease was more than made up by 

 the large exports of bacon, bringing up the total to 200,000 

 head of swine, or m.ore than double the total for the foregoing 

 five years. 



A noticeable feature in M. Lacour's report is a reference to a 

 tendency on the part of labourers to migrate back horn the 

 towns to the country, and the more abundant supply of hands 

 thus made available is mentioned as one of the bright spots of 

 the year. 



[Foreign Office Reports, Annual Series, No, 1430.] 



Demand for Agricultural Machinery in Turkey. 



Mr. W. H. Wrench, Her Majesty's Acting Consul General at 

 Constantinople, in a report dated 10th May 1894, says : — 



" It seems a curious fact that agriculture in European Turkey 

 and round the capital is more backward than in other parts of 

 the Empire. In Bulgaria I am told that agricultural machines 

 are being extensively introduced ; and they are also found near 

 Smyrna and at Mersina. In Constantinople the sale is most 

 restricted. The native farmer is ultra conservative in his methods, 

 and requires much persuasion to overcome his dislike to Frankish 

 contrivances which he will not take the trouble to understand, 

 and which, once broken, are difficult to repair. Even when he 

 sees a reaping machine working, and recognises its superiority, 

 he is nob convinced. The pity is that those who should set an 

 example, and encourage the people to improve their methods, 

 have not the will or the energy to do so." 



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