The average annual consumption of wool may be taken as about 8,000 tons; which, estimating a fleece as about 6lb. in weight, represents the wool produced yearly by 3,000,000 sheep.

The consumption of jute was from 15,000 to 20,000 tons; of cotton about 13,000 tons; of linen 8,000 to 10,000 tons; and of coal about 100,000 tons per annum.

The export trade is an important branch, as will be seen from the following tables for 1913 and 1918, printed here by the courtesy of the Kidderminster Shuttle —

CARPET EXPORTS

(In the following details of Carpets, Rugs are included.)

Quantities for Twelve Months ended—
December, 1912.December, 1913.
Germany122,40091,200
Netherlands339,100402,300
Belgium68,90055,200
France71,90063,700
Spain and Canaries71,30047,300
United States142,000137,300
Chili419,400338,700
Argentine Republic391,500409,000
Australia1,704,7001,821,300
New Zealand555,400521,500
Canada2,730,3002,569,300
Other Countries2,194,9002,146,100
————————
Total Square Yards8,811,8008,602,900

CARPET EXPORTS

Value for Twelve Months ended—
December, 1912.December, 1913.
£ £
Germany37,98227,853
Netherlands60,16172,544
Belgium11,0099,858
France18,45517,757
Spain and Canaries16,5698,193
United States55,63460,688
Chili54,80950,938
Argentine Republic72,87972,027
Australia296,664334,137
New Zealand89,97291,110
Canada450,119449,101
Other Countries341,277342,718
——————————
Total£1,505,530£1,536,924

CARPET EXPORTS

Quantities for Twelve Months ended—
December, 1917.December, 1918.
Netherlands280,3001,000
France113,200183,100
Spain and Canaries54,60032,300
United States of America298,90089,900
Chile114,100152,200
Argentine Republic228,000218,900
Australia851,800852,500
New Zealand222,10097,700
Canada886,900239,800
Other Countries1,482,9001,151,000
——————————
Total Square Yards4,532,8003,018,400