THE WORLD’S CEREAL AND FOOD-CROPS 47
populations throws light upon the world-possibilities
of population generally, and upon the general issues
of the future. We shall review, therefore, the popu-
lation-growth between 1906 and 1911.
For the quinquennium mentioned France was grow-
ing at a rate which would double its population only
in 436 years, while Canada’s rate of growth would
double it in 23% years. From 1790 to 1860 the
population of the United States grew at a rate which
would double it in less than this, viz., in a little over
22 years, a rate which Australia slightly surpassed in
the quinquennium 1887 to 1891 inclusive, her increase-
rate being then 3-06 per annum. The rates for
different countries are given in the table hereunder,
and the number of years requisite for the populations
to double, at such rates.
Growth of Populations between 1906 and 1911
Rates per 1000 of population, and years necessary to double
Country. Rate. Years. Country. Rate. Years.
France 1-€ 426 Switzerland . 12:1 57%
Jamaica 2-¢ 248 Netherlands . 12:2 57
Scotland 5-5 126 Denmark . 12:6 55%
Norway 6-6 105 Germany 13-6 51
Belgium 6.9 1or Finland 143 49
Italy . 3-0 87 Rumania . 148 (7
Sweden 3:4 83 Servia . . I5'5 45
Hungary . 8+ 83 Chile . . 156 45
Austria . 84 8i United States 18-2 38%
England & W. 10:4 67 Australia . 203 34%
Japan . 108 64% New Zealand 256 27%
Wd. Average 11:6 60-. Canada . 298 23%
Ceylon . 12:0 58 Simple Averagerz:3 57
We have already dealt with the significance of various
rates of increase, and the further elaboration of this