However disastrous to the farmer and landowner, the increased quantities and low prices of food thus obtained have been of inestimable benefit to the crowded population of England. In 1851 the whole corn supply, both English and foreign, afforded 317 lb. per annum per head of the population of 27 millions. In 1889 the total supply gave 400 lb. per head to a population of 37-1/2 millions at a greatly reduced cost.[728] The supply of animal food presents similar contrasts; in 1851 each person obtained 90 lb., in 1889 115 lb. The average value of the imports of food per head in the period 1859-65 was about 25s.; in the period 1901-7, 65s.[729] The products which have stood best against foreign competition are fresh milk, hay and straw, the softer kinds of fruit that will not bear carriage well, and stock of the finest quality. These islands still maintain their great reputation for the excellent quality of their live stock, and exports, chiefly of pedigree animals, touched their highest figure in 1906: Average per No. Total Value. head. L L Cattle 5,616 327,335 58 Sheep 12,716 204,061 16 Pigs 2,221 20,292 9 1877.[730] Acreage under crops and grass in England 24,312,033 _Corn crops._ Wheat 2,987,129 Barley or bere 2,000,531 Oats 1,489,999 Rye 48,604 Beans 470,153 Peas 306,356 --------- Total 7,302,772 _Green crops._ Potatoes 303,964 Turnips and swedes 1,495,885 Mangels 348,289 Carrots 14,445 Cabbage, kohl rabi, and rape 176,218 Vetches and other green crops 420,373 --------- Total 2,759,174 Flax 7,210 Hops 71,239 Barefallow or uncropped arable 576,235 Clover, sainfoin, and grasses under rotation 2,737,387 ---------- Total arable 13,454,017 Permanent grass, exclusive of mountain or heath land 10,858,016 ---------- 24,312,033 1907. Total acreage under crops and grass 24,585,455 _Corn crops._ Wheat 1,537,208 Barley 1,411,163 Oats 1,967,682 Rye 53,837 Beans 296,186 Peas 164,326 ----------- Total 5,430,402