The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 29

Agricultural Statistics

Agricultural Statistics.

( From The Field.)

The blue book for

1876, with an excellent introductory report by Mr. Giffen, calls for notice at our hands, not only that we may present our readers with the special features of the case, but that we may once again testify to the great importance of these returns. It is satisfactory to have Mr. Giffen's assurance that a close scrutiny enables him to say that these satistics are substantially accurate in all the most essential points. Almost the only doubtful point that remains is in the distinction between grass under rotation and permanent pasture, especially in counties where grass is plentiful and reclamations are still in progress; but the distinctions are being better attended to, and there would be no fear of error if everywhere farmers filled up their own returns. We earnestly hope that the subject will be taken up by our agricultural associations and the agricultural press. The first fact we have to notice is one of an encouraging nature, notwithstanding the depressed condition of farming, and the by no means inconsiderable areas absorbed by railways and houses—a comparison of the total quantity of land returned in 1876 as under all kinds of crops. Bare fallow and grass shows an increase over the returns of 1875 of 80,000 acres; and between 1869 and 1876 1,293,000 additional acres were returned as under cultivation, viz.,—England 824,000 acres, Wales 181,000, Scotland 200,000 acres. Another interesting table is that which shows the proportion between arable and grass land (exclusive of heath and mountain land), from which it is evident that there has been a gradual though not very large increase in permanent pasture, as will be seen by the following table:—
Arable. Acres. Pasture. Acres.
1869 17,603,000 12,736,000
1870 18,335,000 12,073,000
1871 18,403,000 12,436,000
1872 18,428,000 12,576,000
1873 18,186,000 12,917,000
1874 18,089,000 13,178,000
1875 18,104,000 13,312,000
1876 18,028,000 13,516,000

We have always held that no very radical alterations in present arrangements are practicable, inasmuch as a certain proportion of ploughing land is requisite in order to make the most of grass. It is very little grass land that is sufficiently rich to maintain itself, and the grazier who is driven to market at a particular season is likely sometimes to have to pay such a price for his stock as leaves no margin for profit. Then, again, poor clay land, which would be less costly as grass, takes a lifetime to develop as sward, and a very little of such outlay goes a long way. There have been cases when at some former period land has been broken, under the impulse of high prices, which both for climate and soil was more suitable for pasture; such should be laid down again, and in grass countries the work need not be a long one. It is the fashion just now to decry arable land, and people will tell one that corn cannot be grown to pay expenses; but the produce of grain and straw represents a tolerably good result, and, though most of the straw must be returned to the land, by economy many farmers have a portion to sell, and under proper restrictions they should have freedom to do so. The next point, for which our readers' own experience will have prepared them, is that the acreage under wheat last year was less by 11 per cent, than in 1875, and 22 per cent, less than 1869, the maximum year since these statistics have been collected. The remarkably wet autumn and winter sufficiently account for this deficiency, notwithstanding the hot dry summer. The yield has been deficient, owing to the want of plant. We may look for some increase next year, provided what has been sown stands, for the seed time was decidedly favourable; but, alas! it is to be feared that some at least of the wheat must have perished, having been so long under water. Barley occupies about 23,000 acres more ground than last year. The principal increase is found in the oat crop, which exceeds that of 1876 by 125,000 acres.

Wheat. Barley. Oats. Total.
1875 3,342,481 2,509,701 2,664,009 8,516,251
1876 2,994,957 2,533,109 2,279,530 8.317,596

This increase in the area under oats is probably because some of the land originally intended for wheat was sown with oats, and also because the high rates which had prevailed induced production. Another sign of a bad season is found in the fact that green crops are considerably reduced, and bare fallow increased. In Great Britain the deficiency of green crops amount to 90,000 acres, or 2½ per cent. Potatoes occupy less area than at any time in the last decade; probably the prevalence of disease has to do with this.

1871. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876.
Potatoes (Gt. Britain) 627,691 564,088 514,682 520,430 522,653 505,088
If the returns do not show that the British farmer is returning to the grazing life, they are eloquent on another innovation. The area under artificial grasses has increased more than 4 per cent., proving that the practice of leaving the seeds down for two or three years is increasing, and thus more food for stock is provided. The results are obtained without great cost, and for any description of land this is a sensible alteration, reducing cost in every way. A word or two as to live stock, and we have done. Horses, it is satisfactory to learn, have increased 17,000 more than in 1875. A large increase has taken place in our imports; thus in 1874, 12,033; in 1875, 25,757; and in 1876, 40,763; the exports being small. The enormous increase during the two last year arose from the great demand in the manufacturing districts. This is now unhapily suspended, and we may expect to see a considerable reduction under this head. The diminution of cattle stock without any natural reason, save perhaps a scarcity of hay, is not a healthy sign, and the deficiency of sheep is still more serious. In cattle the decrease is most noticeable in young cattle, in which class the reduction is nearly 6 per cent, as compared with 2 per cent. in

cows, and 1½ per cent, in cattle of two years old. Pigs are the only stock that have increased. We give the particulars of all three descriptions of stock for Great Britain:—
1871. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876.
Cattle 5,337,759 5,621,994 5,961,549 6,125,491 6,012,824 5,816,302
Sheep 27,119,569 27,921,507 29,427,635 30,313.941 29,167,438 28,172,951
Pigs 2,499,602 2,771,749 2,500,259 2,422,832 2,229,918 2,293,620

The above figures are not particularly encouraging. We have had but little serious disease. Foot-and-mouth was very partial, yet our stock of cattle and sheep is lower than at any period since 1872.