SHEEP—-UNITED STATES, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA. 35 
while labor conditions and restricted construction of railroads render 
improbable any rapid development. In much of this newer country 
it requires around 8 acres to support a sheep. Those competent to 
judge state that the present rate of increase in the sheep population 
of the interior no more than balances the loss in the moister coastal 
areas that have supported three sheep per acre and which are now 
being used more largely for dairying. 
Even with favorable seasons and aggressive development in Aus- 
tralia it is improbable that the proportion of the increase reaching 
the United States would seriously affect cur market values. The 
United States is now one of the small importers of Australasian 
meats. It may be desirable for shipping companies to divert larger 
supplies to our ports to furnish eastbound cargo for vessels carrying 
back American manufactures. With an even greater meat shortage 
in the other countries receiving Australasian meats than exists here, 
prices are not likely soon to divert large amounts from European 
destinations into our markets. 
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