IHE BUTTER AND LARD TRADE OF HAMBURG. 87 

by the province or a society: the winter primary schools 
are mostly maintained by some association. There are four 
State primary schools of forestry. 

THE BUTTER AND LARD TRADE OF HAMBURG. 
Sir Wiliam Ward, H.M. Consul General at Hamburg, 
states in his last annual report that the prices which ruled in 
this important butter market during the year 1899 were con- 
siderably higher than in previous years. 
The actual prices fluctuated from g5 shillings per barrel 
(of 95 kilogrammes, or 210 lbs.) in June to 135 shillings in 
the beginning of October. The average price for the year was 
1124 shillings, as compared with 984 shillings in 1898, and 
103 shillings in 1897. 
At the end of 1898 a committee was organised for the 
purpose of regulating the excessively high prices ruling 
during the closing months of that year, and, though 
not entirely successful in its labours, has since enabled the 
public to obtain the finest qualities of butter at firmer prices. 
Last year’s export trade was of limited extent, owing to the 
inferior quality of German butter, which, according to local 
opinion, cannot compete with Danish and Swedish brands in 
the markets of the United Kingdom, and also because 
British colonial butter is said to be preferred. 
Producers in Schleswig and Holstein have repeatedly— 
although apparently in vain—urged that the butter made 
by them should be submitted periodically to the test of duly 
appointed authorities, so that the exportation of only yood 
qualities may be assured. Advantageous railway rates had a 
favourable effect on the butter trade with the interior of 
Germany. Russian butter found its wayagain to the Hamburg 
market in 1899, and is stated to have met with increasing 
favour. The prices asked for Finnish butter were too high, 
and prevented larger importations. Canadian and American 
butter was imported in small quantities only, and it is not 
considered likely that this trade will increase. i 
