238 



AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EGG TRADE. 



falling off of 194,304 head of cattle of all kinds. Various 

 arguments are put forward to account for this state of affairs, 

 amongst which the scanty harvest and the divers prohibitive 

 measures adopted by countries which formerly drew the bulk 

 of their supplies from Austria- Hungary, are prominent. The 

 acute character assumed by the agrarian agitation in Germany 

 during 1896 is likewise referred to as one of the reasons 

 which have detrimentally affected the final annual returns. 

 The imports of live stock during the year similarly showed a 

 decrease, which is estimated at about ^463,000, representing 

 111,694 head of cattle of all kinds less than in 1895. 

 {Foreign Office Report \ Annual Series, No. 1975. Price id.~] 



According to the report by Consul-General Von Schoeller, 



36,617 tons, and that exported to 90,117 tons. As compared 

 with the preceding 12 months, there was a falling-off of 3,121 

 tons in the imports, and 2,813 tons lVi tne exports. The 

 decline is mainly attributed to Russian competition, which 

 is becoming keener from year to year. For some time past 

 the Russian Government has devoted special attention to 

 the furtherance of the agricultural interests of the country, 

 and as in certain rural districts the egg trade constitutes an 

 important branch of commerce, it has likewise received due 

 consideration. According to a clause in the last customs 

 treaty between Russia and Austria-Hungary, eggs are 

 allowed free entry into the dual monarchy. In addition, 

 exceptional facilities, such as reduced freight tariffs, &c, have 

 bsen granted by the Austro-Hungarian State Railways for 

 the transport of Russian eggs. As a consequence, the 

 Russian exporter is in a position to compete with the 

 Galician dealer, and owing to superiority in the manner of 

 packing, and various other reasons, the Russian product is 

 gradually gaining the upper hand. Efforts have been made 

 by those interested in the development of the home trade to 



Austro- 

 Hungarian 

 Egg- Trade. 



egg merchants in Austria complain that 

 trade during 1 896 was not so satisfactory 

 as usual. In the year under notice the 

 quantity of eggs imported amounted to 



