198 



EXPORTS OF PURE-BRED SHEEP FROM THE 

 UNITED KINGDOM. 



The export trade in pure-bred sheep from the United 

 Kingdom commenced probably as long ago as the earliest 

 settlements in America, but it is within the past thirty or 

 forty years that it has attained importance as a branch of 

 British husbandry. During that period it has been subject 

 to considerable fluctuations. 



There are, unfortunately, no precise figures available 

 showing the number of sheep exported for breeding purposes 

 as distinguished from those exported for slaughter. The 

 numbers shown in the Board of Trade returns include a 

 certain proportion of the latter class, mostly sent to Ascen- 

 sion and the Channel Islands. It would appear that from 

 700 to 800 may represent the number of "butcher's" sheep 

 which are now annually exported. 



The total number of sheep exported rose from an annual 

 average of 2,818 in 1876-80 to 8,765 in 1896-1900. During 

 the former period the average value per head ranged from 

 £5 T 8s. in 1879 to £9 6s. in 1878, while in the latter period it 

 varied from ^10 6s. to £12 5s. 



While these figures clearly indicate that exporters of sheep 

 have had some cause for congratulation in recent years, it 

 must be recognised that the years 1896-7-8 were characterised 

 by a " boom " in the Argentine trade which, for the time 

 being, stimulated demand and inflated prices. During these 

 three years over 22,000 sheep (out of a total of 3 1,000 exported) 

 were sent to Argentina alone at an average value per 

 head of nearly £14. 



In October, 1900, the trade with Argentina was stopped 

 by the Government of that country, and the total exports of 

 sheep fell, partly no doubt in consequence of this fact, from 

 7,586 in 1899, to 4,934 in 1900. But it maybe pointed out 



