Russian Poultry Industry. 



29 



is chiefly due to the eggs, which rose from a value of 

 £795,000 in 1887 to £2,550,000 in 1897, and to £3,113,000 

 in 1898. But the other products of the poultry industry 

 sent out of the country have nevertheless also doubled in 

 value during the period. This increase, it may be noted, 

 has been progressive throughout the period, and cannot be 

 attributed to accidental variations in the seasons. 



The export of eggs, which numbered 507 millions in 1887, 

 had increased to 1,831 millions, or by over 250 per cent., in 

 1898, an augmentation of nearly 500 millions having been 

 recorded in the single year 1895. The great majority are 

 taken by Austria and Germany (92 per cent, in 1887, and 66 

 per cent, in 1897, going to these two countries), the former 

 until 1896 having usually the largest share. The increase in 

 the exports to Great Britain has, however, been much more 

 rapid than that to the two above - mentioned empires ; 

 under 34 million eggs were destined for our ports in 

 1887, while in 1897 over 377 millions were sent here, the 

 percentage taken by us having risen from 7 to 22. In 1892 

 Great Britain took 26 per cent, of the Russian eggs exported, 

 the subsequent decline to 19 per cent, in 1894-5 being due, 

 not to a decrease in the shipments here, but to a some- 

 what sudden augmentation in the trade to Austria and 

 Germany. Nor has the increase in the consignments to 

 this country during the decade been at the expense ot 

 the two latter, for they have both largely increased their 

 imports from Russia. 



The exportation of live poultry has more than doubled 

 during the period, its value having been £289,000 and 

 £637,000 in 1887 and 1898 respectively. Nearly the whole 

 of it goes to Germany, and the remainder to Austria ; the 

 fattening for market takes place after arrival in the country 

 of destination. Dead poultry ^ which includes game), on the 

 other hand, shows considerable variations, its value having 

 fluctuated during the past decade between £47,500 and 

 £208,000 ; but there has been a tendency to increase of late 

 years. It goes chiefly to Great Britain, a much smaller 

 quantity being sent to Germany, although a considerable 

 total was at one period taken by the latter. The slaughter 



