Third class cruisers include 4 ships of the Gem class, sanctioned 1901-03, and 8 Scouts sanctioned 1902-04. The former carry 12 4-inch, the latter 12 12-pdrs. Speeds 22 and 25 knots respectively. There are also 11 cruisers of the Pelorus class, 8 of the Astrea class and some 14 or so of the Apollo class, also 2 Bellona class. Most of these are about to be crossed off the effective list, only the 2 Bellonas having a speed sufficient for modern requirements. Water tube boilers that have been fitted to British ships: Belleville, 61; Yarrow, 14; Babcock and Wilcox, 11; Niclausse, 9; Thornycroft, 9; Dürr, 3. There are 20 torpedo gun-boats, of which some 12 are able to steam at about 19 knots in smooth water. The Trafalgar class are low freeboard turret ships, still capable of useful service. The Royal Sovereign class (7) and the Hood represented a new idea, which, with modifications, has been adhered to ever since. Low freeboard was abandoned. Pairs of heavy guns, heavily armoured, are mounted fore and aft. Amidships are ten 6-inch Q. F., those of the main deck in casemates. Armour along the lower deck was introduced also. The Centurion and Barfleur are diminutives of this type, and these were expanded into the Renown, which carries more casemates and depends for water-line protection upon a relatively thin belt supported by an inclined armour deck. This type expanded again into the Majestic class (9 ships), virtually Renowns with a heavier armament. The Canopus class (6 ships of 12,900 tons) are again slightly improved Majestics. The principal change was the introduction of a two-inch belt to the bow. Three Formidables followed, practically larger Canopus class ships. Following again came the London, Venerable, and Bulwark, again of the same general type, but with considerably increased bow armour. Six ships of the Duncan class, a little smaller, swifter, and rather less heavily armoured, came next. Otherwise these are identical with the London. So, too, are the Queen and Prince of Wales. After these a new evolution took place. The displacement of the King Edward class (8 ships) rises to 16,500 tons. Arinoured casemates are abolished for a complete armoured battery on the main deck, while above four 9.2-inch guns are mounted in secondary turrets. The Swiftsure and Triumph, originally Chilian, are practically reduced examples of the King Edward. The Lord Nelson class embody a distinct change of type, the French style being followed. All the guns are in turrets, and all are carried on the upper deck, thus giving a high command of fire. The 1905-6 battleships are the same thing with all the guns 12-inch. Of the larger cruisers the Blake, Edgar, and Crescent classes (11 ships) all follow the Royal Sovereign idea—though, of course, unarmoured. All are still excellent ships. The next important cruisers, two Powerful class and eight Diadem class, all embody the Majestic type in the arrangement of the Q.F. guns. The eight Cressy class are the same thing with armoured sides. The County class, ships like the Essex, the four Drake class, and all later cruisers also embody the same idea, and differ but little from the Cressy. From the Powerful onward to the Drakes all these have Belleville boilers. The Duke of Edinburgh class carry a 9.2 fore and aft, and two others on each broadside as in the King Edward. The ten 6-inch are on the main deck below. A complete belt 6 to 3 inches thick is a special feature of these ships. The smaller cruisers demand no special description. The Warriors are Duke of Edinburgh's on French lines, that is with guns in single turrets placed high up. The 6-inch battery is done away with, and upper-deck 7.5's substituted. The Minotour class embody a similar idea, and are cruiser versions of the Lord Nelson. The submarines are the American Holland type. They are built in groups The second group, now coming into service, are known as the A class. They have no less than 16 cylinders, and are peculiar for a very high conning of 5. tower. Production and Industry. I. AGRICULture. The total area of the United Kingdom, exclusive of foreshores and tidal waters, extends to 77,109,000 acres, of which 13,504,000 acres, or 17.6 per cent., is uncultivable or uncultivated (mountains, waters, roads, &c.); 3,038,000 acres, or 3.9 per cent., is under woods and plantations; 23,412,000 acres, or 30.3 per cent., consists of grazing lands on hills and heaths; and 37,156,000 acres, or 48.2 per cent., is under crops and grass. The general distribution of the surface of each division of the United Kingdom, according to recent statistics, is as follows : The following table shows the distribution of the cultivated area, and the number of live stock in Great Britain and Ireland, respectively :- Acres Acres 9,431,490 7,133,708 7,184,290 7,060,543 6,953,034 3,581,276 3,129,230 3,147,888 3,064,574 3,036,026 Flax Hops Small fruit 74,999 344,105 75,378 76,152 77,947 293,131 351,126 432,690 Clover and mature grasses Permanent pasture 4,340,742 4,856,387 4,831,898 4,807,826 4,671,495 13,178,412 16,827,249 16,806,508 16,934,495 17,098,056 31,267,325 32,417,445 32,387,959 32,343,579 32,317,610 Live stock: Horses Cattle Sheep Pigs 1874 1901 1902 1903 1904 Number Number Number Number Number 1,311,739 1,511,431 1,504,789 1,537,154 1,560,236 6,125,491 6,763,894 6,555,976 6,704,618 6,858,352 30,313,941 26,377,200 25,765,706 25,639,797 25,207,178 2,422,832 2,179,925 2,299,567 2,686,561 2,861,644 Sheep 4,437,613 4,378,750 4,215,865 3,944,604 3,827,884 1,096,494 1,219,135 1,327,610 1,383,516 1,315,523 The following table shows the area (in acres) under each of the heavy corn and green crops in the years named :— The following table shows the total produce of each of the principal crops in Great Britain and Ireland in thousands of bushels and tons for the years named : 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 102 11 1 10 10 85 9 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons 3,671 3,194 2,914 3,588 1,842 3,372 2,726 2,363 20,414 24,169 19,927 23,036 4,426 4,884 4,947 3,596 The following table shows the estimated average yield per acre of the principal crops : Great Britain Ireland Description of Crops 1901 1902 1903 1904 1900 1901 1902 1903 Wheat Oats 39:17 Beans 23.12 Peas 25.77 Bushls. Bushls. Bushls. Bushls. Bushls. Bushls. Bushls, Bushls. For the quantities of cereals and live stock imported, see under Commerce. The following table shows the number of holdings or farms of various sizes above one acre in Great Britain in June 1895: |