NUMBER OF Ducks AND ESTIMATED PRODUCTION OF 
Duck Ecas. 
L ear. 
Hatched 
befors year 
of return. 
Hatched 
in year of 
return. 
Total. 
Thousands. Thousands. Thousands. 
1908 844 1,825 2,669 
1913 531 1,657 | 2,188 
1924 1,097 | 1,419 2,516 
1925% 1,075 1,554 2.629 
“hi 
Production 
of eggs. 
Millions. 
18:3 
17:6 
15+9 
3:0 
* The number of ducks in 1925 has been estimated on the basis of 
bhe changes in numbers as shown by the returns of 1924 and 1926. 
The increase in the production of duck eggs from appreciably 
less than 20 millions before the war to 43 millions to-day is very 
Striking, 
Production of Pouliry for Food.—The returns received of the 
dumber of home-bred birds killed for food or sold alive did not, 
unfortunately, prove satisfactory, and it is not possible to quote 
them with any confidence. It is estimated, however, that from 
agricultural holdings the numbers killed for food in 1924-25 
were approximately as follows: fowls, 15,000,000; ducks, 
1,700,000; geese, 450,000 : turkeys, 500,000. 
Occupiers were also asked to give particulars of the number 
of day-old chicks sold, and the numbers actually returned as 
Sold off agricultural holdings were 21 million fowl chicks and 
55,000 ducklings. These figures are not complete, but they 
give some indication of the magnitude of this trade. 
4. Wool production.—The number of occupiers returning 
flocks of over 50 sheep in 1925 was approximately 75,000, and 
these were asked to give particulars of the number of sheep 
shorn in 1925, the total quantity of wool clipped, the total sum 
realised for the wool, and whether it was washed or unwashed ; 
the breeds and classes of animals being distinguished in each 
case. The replies received related to 30 per cent. of the sheep in 
the country, and as the proportions were fairly similar in all 
“ounties they thus constituted a very representative sample. 
The quantities of wool clipped in England and Wales in the 
years 1908, 1913 and 1925, based on the returns collected in 
those years together with annual estimates made by the Ministry 
for the years 1922, 1923 and 1924, are given in the table on the 
following page.