In 1896 its volume increased to 72.000.000 yards. In 1897 it was 140.000.000 yards. and in 1899 it was 221.000.000 yards. In 1899 our Asiatic exports of flour were 1.725.388 barrels. against 1.240.563 in 1898. and while the total increase in our exports of flour to all countries between 1898 and 1899 was 20 per cent. the exports to Asiatic countries increased 39 per cent. There has been a gradually growing increase in all of our other exports. In the past our trade has been mainly along what might be called the lines of least resistancethat is. with nations speaking the English language.