266 



Parliamentary Publications. 



that the number of separate holdings was 575,664, being 878 

 more than in the previous year. The increase was chiefly 

 apparent in holdings under one acre, whilst decreases took 

 place in the number of holdings between one and thirty acres. 



The increase during recent years in the number of dairy 

 factories appeared to render it desirable that some particulars 

 should be obtained regarding what is now an important agri- 

 cultural industry. The statistics obtained showed that the 

 number of factories was 279, being an increase of 24 as com- 

 pared w T ith the number returned in 1895, and that the number 

 of hands permanently employed amounted to 2,205, or 243 

 more than the number for 1895. Of the 279 factories, 119 

 were owned by individual proprietors, 88 were the property 

 of joint stock companies, and 72 belonged to co-operative 

 farmers. Milk-separators to the number of 605 were employed, 

 and the quantity of butter produced during the year ended 

 30th September, 1896, was 274,592 cwts., against 206,068 

 cwts. in the preceding year. Condensed milk was also 

 produced to the extent of 26,040,465 lbs. The quantity of 

 milk manipulated in the course of the year was 67,242,217 

 gallons, and 372,275 gallons of cream. 



With regard to bee-keeping, the quantity of honey 

 produced was 238,171 lbs., which was much below the 

 average for the preceding ten years, the average for 1885-94 

 being 306,687 lbs. The number of stocks brought through 

 the winter of 1895-96 was 17,026 as compared with 17,317 

 in the preceding year. 



The number of mills for scutching flax in Ireland in 

 1896 was 933, being a decrease of 18 compared with 1895, and 

 a decrease of 145 since the year 1887. 



Merchandise Marks. — Report from the Select Commit tee on 

 Merchandise Marks, with the Proceedings of the Com- 

 mittee and Minutes of Evidence. [H.C. — 346.] Price 3s. 



The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the effects 

 and operation of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, and into 

 the subject of Merchandise Marks generally, in their report 



