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Show Additional Irish News. Irish Agriculture in Bad State. - The report of the Irish Agricultural Organization society for 1902 and 19034 has now- been issued in pamphlet form. It gives as appendices those. jeguJar tabular statements, the absence of which we noted at the date of the annual an-nual meetinsr. Ccntraiv to u-hnf rnp decisions of some of the subTCommis-sioners subTCommis-sioners in the land courts would lead one to believe, the prices recorded in these tables show no Improvement whatever in the market for one of the principal agricultural products. The creameries are alleged to have saved the Irish butter industry. That they have saved it from destruction in some districts is possible: but that they have not restored its prosperity is unfortunately unfortu-nately too clear from these returns.' The average price per pound receive"! for the butter produced in the creameries cream-eries was only 10.62d in 1902 and 11.66d in 1903. The cost of production per pound was l.lSd in the former year, and 1.36d in the latter. The net price was-therefore was-therefore only 9.44d In 1902 and 10.3d in 1903. How 9d and ,I0'4d per pound for butter can justify the rents some sub-commissioners are imposing at present their consciences may tell. It worka out at 3?4d per gallon for the milk! This is the top price for the Irish dairy farmer. And as the refuse product, unlike the old dairy refuse, has to be supplemented by special I feeding stuffs if the calves are to be reared, the real net price is even lower, low-er, A great many of the Agricultural societies so-cieties seem to be in a more or less moribund condition.. Fifty-four out of 140 give no return to trade for 1903. One significant figure shows how sadly in want tof working capital the Irish farmers are. The societies were supposed sup-posed to be worked on a cash basis so ag to avoid the middle profits. But in order to do so they have been compelled com-pelled to borrow 17,399 from the banks. The total trade for 1903 was 70,127. The agricultural banks have 7,917 members; 3,722 loans amounting to 20.435 were issued during the year, and 14,974 repaid. The net profit in 1903 was 286, as compared with 587 in the previous year. The expenses of working were only 97. The banks seem to be distinctly valuable. Bossa's Deception in Cork. Warm and enthusiastic as was the reception accorded to O'Dpnovan Rossa at Queenstown and Cork, the greeting of welcome extended to him on his arrival ar-rival in Skibbereen surpassed them. It was only to be expected that on his arrival in the town that is surrounded surround-ed with so many associations cf his youth and early manhood, that due celebration cel-ebration would be made of hia arrival, and in this popular expectancy was not disappointed. The arrival of the train was greeted with ringing aitd pror longed cheering, and the carriage in which he traveled was stormed, po eager and enthusiastic was .the crowd to receive Rossa. The brass band was in attendance, and as the train steamed slowly in "God Save Jreland" was played in spirited style, and Rossa was carried on the shoulders of the peapte to a brake. Addressing the people he said: "I thank you all for the kindness kind-ness with which you . received me," ("You're worthy of it.") "Many f you knew me when I Jived in Skibbereen. , and there's .n. change In me am an Irishman still (loud applause) and the principles which ycu knew me ta profess pro-fess while I lived among you are the principles.' ' which I profess today, f have never changed and never will change." (Loud applause). A bouquet of Mowers was presented to Mr. R;ssa by Mrs. Wycherley. wife of the chairman chair-man of the Young Ireland society. The horses were taken from the brane and the crowd, forming into process! jnal order; headed by the hand, proceeded to the West Cork hotel, where he was received, by the representative men of the town. |