Belgian Poultry Industry. 



509. 



^218,000 for sundry expenses, and an appropriation of 

 ;£23,6oo for the immediate requirements of 1900. The amount 

 provided in the Budget for the State studs is £190,300. 



[The above amounts have been converted into English 

 money at the rate of one rouble = 2y2_ shillings.] 



The Belgian Poultry Industry. 



In an article on this subject which was published three 

 years ago in this Journal,* it was shown that the total 

 number of eggs imported into Belgium in 1894 amounted to 

 463 millions, indicating an increase of 1 1 1 millions since 1892. 

 According- to the subsequent Belgian trade returns, the 

 imports fell to 431 millions in the year 1895, but rose to 442 

 millions in 1896 and to 466 millions in 1897, i.e.^ to 3 millions 

 more than in 1894. These figures represent the total number 

 of eggs imported into Belgium, and therefore include con- 

 signments in transit to other countries. The quantity 

 imported for home consumption increased from 100 to 172 

 million eggs during the period 1892-97. The export statistics 

 indicate similar features when the total figures are con- 

 sidered ; viz., an increase from 319 millions in 1892 to 431 

 millions in 1894 ; then a decrease to 390 millions in 1895, the 

 number again rising to 405 millions in 1896, and to 447 

 millions in 1897, i,e.^ to about 16 millions more than in 1894. 

 These figures also include foreign eggs which passed through 

 Belgium en i^oiite to other countries, particularly to England, 

 It is interesting to observe that the number of Belgian eggs 

 exported show a very large and almost continuous increase 

 throughout the period, viz., 68 millions in 1892, 61 millions 

 in 1893, 78 millions in 1894, no millions in 1895, 129 millions 

 in 1896, and 153 millions in 1897. 



If, therefore, the eggs which merely pass through the 

 country be not considered, but those only which are included 

 under the term "special commerce/' it is observed that 

 Belgium imports for her own consumption somewhat more 

 than the number of eggs of home production exported. 



Vol. II., p. 408. 



