§ Mr. HUGH BARRIEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state what were the estimated numbers of horses, cattle and pigs in Ireland on 31st January, 1915; and how do the figures compare with those of 31st January, 1914?
§ Mr. RUSSELLIt is difficult to make reliable estimates of the numbers asked for, especially in the case of pigs, as the numbers of the latter fluctuate so rapidly. The following are rough estimates of the numbers on the 31st January, 1915: Horses, 550,000; cattle, 4,400,000; pigs, 1,250,000. The corresponding numbers for 31st January, 1914, were about 40,000 more horses, 100,000 more cattle, and 50,000 less pigs. It should, however, be mentioned that on 31st January, 1914, the number of pigs was increasing, whereas on 31st January, 1915, the number was decreasing. The population of live stock is always lowest about the period mentioned, as the largest numbers are born in the spring and early summer.