Price of Wheat, over 40 Harvest-Years, 1852-3 to 1891-2. 131 
displacement of some of them, which would then have to be im- 
ported instead of grown at home. 
In conclusion, it must be admitted that, unless low prices 
should check the production of grain for export in other coun- 
tries, or from any other cause prices should rise, there is little- 
likelihood that our own farmers will have much inducement to 
increase their area under grain crops. Under such circumstances, 
a larger proportion of the remaining arable area will be devoted 
to the growth of stock-foods, and, with the increased and increas- 
ing area under grass, the production of meat and dairy produce 
may acquire increased importance in our own agriculture ; 
that is, provided the farmer be protected from imported cattle 
disease, and from the importation of adulterated dairy products. 
But it is to be borne in mind, that material increase in the pro- 
duction of meat, milk, butter, and cheese, cannot be attained 
without the aid of imports of stock-foods, providing both food 
and manure, and of some direct manures also ; whilst, with our 
increased and increasing population, and limited agricultural 
area, it cannot be expected that the demands for home consump- 
tion can be met without large imports of both grain and the 
products of feeding. Lastly, with the decrease of arable area, 
and the increase of permanent grass and of feeding, the number 
of the population engaged in rural pursuits must necessarily 
diminish. 
John Bennet Lawes. 
Joseph Henry Gilbert. 
APPENDIX-TABLES. 
I. (p. 132). — Home Produce, Imports, and Consumption of Wheat, 
in the United Kingdom, 40 Harvest- Years, 1852-3 to 1891-2, 
inclusive. 
II. (facing p. 132). — Home Produce, Imports, Consumption, and 
Price of Wheat, in the United Kingdom, 40 Harvest- Years, 
1852-3 to 1891-2, inclusive. 
