CHAPTER IV.—NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF 
LIVESTOCK. * 
Ll. Variation in number since 1867.—The history of the 
Agricultural live-stock population of England and Wales since the 
year 1867 is mainly a record of increasing cattle herds and 
decreasing sheep flocks. The smallest number of cattle returned 
by Occupiers was in 1867, the first year of the returns, and the 
largest number was recorded in 1917. On the other hand the 
Maximum of the sheep population was recorded in 1868 and the 
Minimum in 1920, though since that date there has been a sub- 
Stantial recovery. Pigs have fluctuated about a mean which has 
shown little change during the entire period, though the average 
for the five years 1921-25 is distinctly higher than any previous 
five years. Horses increased fairly steadily up to 1905. but have 
‘nce declined. Diagrams IV to VI show the annual changes in 
the numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs since returns were first 
Collected. These annual variations are shown by the dotted 
lines, but in order to eliminate so far as possible periodical 
fuctuations 10-year averages are also shown on the diagram 
by means of thick black lines. The average numbers of the 
different, classes of live stock in England and Wales are shown in 
Lables 9 to 12 in the Appendix in five-year periods from 1871-75 
bo 1921-25, and the figures for the individual year 1925 are 
also given separately. 
. 2. Cattle.— Change in numbers in relation to area and popula- 
“on. —Tt will be seen from Diagram IV that the average numbers 
of cattle show an almost continuous advance, though a break 
>¢eurs towards the end of the period, when the extensive slaughter 
of calves at the end of food control, due primarily to the decontrol 
of vea] prices in advance of those of other meat, caused a sharp 
fall in the cattle herds, but in the last four years there have been 
Ncreases. The total number of cattle in 1871 was 4,268,000 
nd in 1925 was 6.163.000. 
The movements of the various classes of cattle which go to 
Make up the total numbers have, however, been very dissimilar, 
In Diagram IIT are shown yearly changes for the dairy herd (cows 
Nd heifers in milk or in calf), and for other cattle, distinguishing 
"hose 2 years and over and those below 2 years. Dairy cows have 
ollowed much the same course as the total numbers, although on 
the whole the increase has been more uniform and the periodical 
In 19 uiry was made as to the number of pure bred or 
Pedigree hg ty This was not repeated in 1925, but in the years 
1919 and 1921 certain returns were obtained from breeders. Particulars 
Clating to 1921 were published in Part I of the Agricultural Statistics, 
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