The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-02-14
EMIGRATION HURTS
IRISH FARMING
Population Decreases Almost
so Per Cent in About
Half a Century
Department of Agriculture PO-
tent Factor In AmeIioratiOn
of Conditions

vi SUHQItlUllS
Vice Consul ]. s. Armstrong Jr. of
Cork furnishes the following review
Of the improved agricultural condi-
lions in ireland, and the consequent
market for The increased sale Of Amer
team machinery and implements:
AS the population of ireland has been
for some time curtailed severely by a
steady stream of emigration TO the
United States, the advancement of the
industry most important to the welfare
IF the people has met with a serious
drawback. IN 1851 there were more
than 100000 people in Ireland, but in
1901 the population was no more than
4.456,000 Thus in half century the
population decreased to almost half
that which it formerly was. the con-
sequence Of which has been the neg
Iect Of an important industry a a criti-
cal period. when competition across
channel was most keen. other alleged
impediments to agricultural prosperity
have been ignorance OF modern meth
DDS. the consequent disregard of
scientific system of fertilizng, etc, and
the use of old fashioned machinery
and implements. all OF which have been
instrumental in retarding the product
iveness of the land.
AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS
Tile Inauguration Of the Irish de-
partment OF agriculture, the advent of
the Agricultural organiZa ton society,
and the passing Of the various land
acts nave. however, been potent fac
tors in the ameli0ration Of agricultural
conditions in this country. Under the
supervision of the department Of agri-
culture. d corps Of experts have can
vassed the country, giving demon
STATIONS and lectures and answering
sny queries made, with the end in view
OF broadening the knowledge of Irish
farmers. schools have been estab-
lished with the motive of instructing
in latest systems of agriculture, horti-
culture. bee keeping, butter making
and poultry keeping.
The Agricultural organization society
is the originator of the cooperative
movement. the benefit Of which to the
Irish farmer has been almost meal
culsble. Societies have been formed
under its guidance in almost every dis
trict for the cooperative purchase of
manuTes. seeds and other requisites.
and d lsO the sale of All farm products.
farmer have been augmented consid-
erably.
The Irish land acts have. moreover
been prominent conducers to the i'm
provement of conditions. By the act
Of 1903 $500. 600. 600 was advanced 10
the estates commission to be used I'm
making advances TO tenants TO assist
them in acquiring in fee simple their
holdings. besides a bonus of $50 600 600
which was to be used to induce land
lords to sell in terms appropriate 10
the means Of the tenants
CHARACTERISTICS OF FARMING
There are few large farms in Ire
land. there being out OF the 500, 600
holdings in the entire island as many
as 10000 which do not contain as
many FIVE acres and $50, 600 which
contain no more than Is acres How
ever the Importance Of farming TO the
country is realized when il is known
that al least - per cent Of the people
are dependent on ii for a livelihood.
The potent reasons of its Importance
are the scarcity of mineral resources
and the proximity of the British
market
However. the amount of land under
cultivation is limited, for out of a
total area Of 20.350.725 acres only
1-329.5O6 acres are devoted to cereals.
green and root crops. 2.302.7eO acres
contain hay, but l2.302.76O acres are
given up TO pasture land. Ireland's
most important crop is oats. to which
over 100000 acres are devoted pota-
toes being next in Importance. with
81. 900 acres.
Because Of the extensive area de-
voted 10 grass, live stock is a promi-
nent feature in local farming Cattle
raising is Of paramount Importance
The Irish farmer usually confines his
cattle business TO the rearing of calves
for unfinished beef. the fattening being
carried on across channel by the buy
ers. In 1908 there We're 100000 of these
reported. The large increase in the i'm
port of dead meat has lowered the
prices TO such an extent that II would
hardly pay the Irish farmer to carry
on the fattening himself. There is a
distinctly native breed Of cattle in this
country which is known as the
Kerry" II is 4 small black ANNA
an excellent mixer. and has splendid
reputation IS 2 meat producer.
COOPERATIVE CREAMERTES
Much interest has been shown in the
last few wears in creameries. most of
which have now adopted the co-opera-
tive system. 1t is asserted that per-
hsps because Of keen Danish competi-
ton. the cooperation movement has
prs ctically saved the butter trade from
extinction. The Irish butter maker.
moreover. has been suffering from the
practice of fraudulent imitation of his
product abroad.
Irish horses are well known for their
superiority as hunters, the thorough
breds having splendid reputation for
courage and stamina Sheep raising
he's become more extensive recently
and according to latest figures there
are 4.l2s.e23 head Of sheep in Ireland.
There is also native breed Of these
known as the "Roscommon.' which is
considered an animal of fine qualities.
Latest statistics show the number of
hogs in this country to be I.2I7.763. and
OF poultry p 100000. The latter is be-
coming an important industry in Ire
land.