182 IMPORTS OF THE CEREAL YEAR. 

quantities; while the intrinsic values were also slightly 
higher, except in the case of fresh milk and cream, which was 
materially reduced. Of butter, Denmark sent very slightly 
less than in the earlier year—viz., 1,444,500 cwts. as against 
1,469,000 cwts. The principal changes were, however, in the 
consignments from the more distant countries, the United 
States showing a considerable decline, and the Australasian 
Colonies as considerable a rise. United States, cheese came 
in larger quantities, and another growing contributor was 
Australasia, which doubled its quota. The cheese imported 
was valued at nearly 6s. per cwt. more than in 1898-99. 
The total imports of wheat and wheat flour amounted in 
grain to 22,155,753 quarters as compared with 23,060,136 
quarters last year. The largest proportion of wheat 
(in grain), viz., 31,530,000 cwts. or almost half the 
total, came from the United States, this representing, 
however, a_ decline of 6,578,000 cwts. from 1898-99, 
while the Argentine contribution has -been 18,116,000 
cwts., a rise of almost 11,000,000 cwts. on the year. Canada 
comes third on the list with 6,261,coo cwts., just over her 
contribution of 1898-99. Australasia sent 3,531,000 cwts., and 
Russia only 2,819,000 cwts., one-third of which, it may be 
noticed, came last August. From neither Roumania nor 
Chili has any wheat whatever been received during the past 
cereal year ; and from India all but 9,000 cwts. out of a total 
of 1.545,000 came prior to 31st December last. Barley shows a 
considerable falling off, due to the comparative failure of the 
Russian consignments ; the United States on this occasion 
occupying the premier position as a supplier of this grain. 
The imports of oats increased considerably, this augmentation 
coming from Russia, whence we derived over 9,500,000 ewts. 
as compared with loss than 4,000,000 in 1898-99. Most of the 
maize, as is generally the case, came from the United States, 
though the shipments from the Argentine Republic exhibited 
a considerable advance over the previous year. 
Among other imports, the only item calling for special 
mention is woo], the quantity of which fell by nearly 
70,000,000 lbs., while its value increased by over £1,100,000. 

