THE VICTORIAN WHEAT CROP.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7781, 7 February 1891, Page 4

THE VICTORIAN WHEAT CROP.

A few days ago our Melbourne correspondent forwarded us a full summary of the Australasian estimate of the Victorian hardest. The following additional particulars are taken from the Argus : — :•- • ■

The estimates of the yield of the wheat hat vest, compiled by the Australasian, were published on 21st inst. The colony has at last been favored with a harvest of great e_cellenee* whether as regards quantity, which is the largest yet recorded, or- as regards quality/ which is uniformly of the fines-, A ;comparative statement for the last three years-is as follows:—1888-9, area I,24B,oooacre*, average per acre 7.635, yield 9,529,000 bushels; 1889-90, area 1,200*000 acres, average per acre 9.927, yield 11,912,500; 1890-91, area 1,209,000, average per acre 14.876, ; yield 17,985,250 bushels. The yield of the present season exceeds that of last season by over 6,000,000 bushels, increasing by so much the exportable surplus. This surplus is shown as follows:—- '

Yield as per Australasian estimate 17,985,250 bushels, yeAr's'consumption in Victoria 6,380,000 bushels, seed for 1,250,000 acres 1,582,500, leaving an exportable surplus of say 10,0-2*750 bushels. By weight the exportable surplus is equal to 279,082 tons. Assuming that about 50,000 tons will be exported; in the shape of flour, about 230,000 tons wheat will have to be shipped, -hipping engagements already entered into include several considerable parcels by general ships, and say sixteen cargoes, half of which await arrival of vessels. The rates now obtainable for medium size iron vessels are 32s 6& and 33s 9d. The actual and prospective supply of iron tonnage is inadequate* and it is expected .hat recourse must be had to steamers to move the surplus in good time. For the greater portion-of the wheat required for shipment during- the fortnight but owing to the large arrivals from the country the market has become slightly easier. A renewal of the* export trade Of flour to the United Kingdom Js practically prohibited by the high ratesor freight now ruling.