Sept. 1895.] 



FOREIGN OFFICE REPORTS. 



prices caused several farmers to give up wheat and barley crops 

 and turn to roots instead. 



The prices of horses were rather lower in 1894 tlian in 189S, 

 but the trade in this branch is still large owing to the decrease 

 in prices of fodder. Exports and imports of horses continued 

 about the same as in 1893. Horses are impoited in con- 

 siderable numbers from Germany and Sweden. A light draught 

 horse is wliat appears to be in most use on farms, in fact, one 

 that can be worked in a plough, and at the same time be used 

 by the farmer himself to drive. Heavy draught hor£es are few 

 and far between. 



The breeding and keeping of pigs shows the best return for 

 money invested in that particular line for the year 1894. From 

 all districts and in all report?, this business is mentioned as the 

 one that benefits the Danish farmers most, and the sale of pigs 

 and pork is estimated at 40,000,000 kroners, or more than half 

 the amount of the sale of butter. A good sort of pig is much 

 wanted to improve the breed of swine in Denmark, and it is 

 expected that in the future good boars will be introduced. 

 Such breeds as Berkshire and Yorkshire would be considered the 

 best to import. 



The culture of beet is one of much importance, and it has 

 been greatly developed in 1894, and is now carried on by six 

 factories throughout Denmark. Taking into consideration the 

 good prices that can be obtained for beetroot from sugar manu- 

 facturers, and the good it does to the soil, it was hoped that a 

 larger area of cultivation would be given up to it, but as yet 

 this has not been done owing to the want of money. 



The enormous competition which has sprung up with other 

 countries, and especially with Australia and New Zealand, where 

 the Governments, through legislation and grants of money, assist 

 the farmers and others employed in dairy farming, has roused 

 the Danish farmers to take all energetic steps to maintain the 

 high standard of butter, &c., whicli it now holds on the English 

 market. 



[Foreign Office Report, Annual Series, No. 1614. Price Id.] 



Belgiaj^ Egg Trade. 



A despatch has been received at the Foreign Office from Mr. 

 G. R. de Courcy Perry, C.M.G., Her Majesty's Consul-General at 

 Antwerp, enclosing two comparative tables showing the exporta- 

 tion of eggs from Belgium to foreign countries, and the impor- 

 tation of this article of consumption during the years 1892, 1893, 

 and 1894. In the table of importation it is shown that over 

 100 million eggs are annually imported into Belgium, of which 

 a large proportion are furnished by Italy, Germany, and Russia ; 

 of the 100 million eggs referred to, 40 millions are ^ aid to be 



