VICTORIAN GRAIN STATISTICS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7866, 18 May 1891, Page 3

VICTORIAN GRAIN STATISTICS.

MELBOURNE, April 17. Owing to the marked difference between the estimate of the wheat harvest prepared by the agricultural reporter of the Austral-isian and the official figures recently issued by the Government Statistician, inquiries have been made ia the chief wheat growing districts to determine, if possible, the cause of the discrepancy. These inquiries serve to show that although at the time when the Australasian's estimate was prepared, there was every prospect of a splendid harvest, unforeseen causes subsequently combined to materially reduce the yield. In Moira heavy rains at the eleventh hour greatly damaged the harvest, but the effects of excessively wet weather have been most disastrous ia the county of :Lowin. In the lands of Wimmera tiie farmers were amazed to find what seemed sp'-endid crops co be stripped badly. In other parts the effects of the wee weather were less severely felt, but in a general way the excessive rains coupled with damage by locusts and caterpillars have brought the yield below what was expected. While the Aus'raladan's figures are too sanguine, it will however probably be found when the means for checking the returns are furnished that the Government Statist's figures err still more seriously in the opposite direction.