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Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 15

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(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13) WHEAT YIELD FOR 1937 SOUND STATISTICAL POSITION HEAVY DELIVERIES BEING MADE Milling wheat continues to come to hand very freely. The statistical position is reported to be sound and from general inquiries made, it would appear that the Government Statistician's earlier estimate of a total yield for the Dominion of 7,150,000 bushels will be more than reached. In May 1,200,000 bushels of milling wheat were handled by the Wheat Committee, and up till yesterday the total quantity was 4,593,34*7 bushels, with returns still pouring in. It is expected that June will see at least another 1,000,000 bushels put through the committee's books. Up to June 2 last year the committee had . handled 4,669,482 bushels, which is only 76135 bushels in excess of this season's deliveries. This is regarded as very satisfactory, because last year there was much more wheat available in the Dominion. x„ Now that the wheat has had time to mature in stack, the quality on the whole is good. An Informative Return Meanwhile it is interesting to note that the world consumption of wheat is getting smaller. Figures relatmg to average wheat consumption ui 40 countries during the periods 1909-14 and 1933-36 which have been published by the Food Research Institute of Stanford University, California, have como to hand in Christchurch. The figures show that, although the total population of the countries included in the survey had increased by 21 per cent by 1936, the average world consumption of wheat has risen- by only 12 per cent. Average consumption a head of inhabitants was 2141b in the five years before the War, but only 1981b during the three years 1933-36. Consumption diminished notably in Great Britain, Germany, the United States of America. France, and Italy. There was an increase of consumption in a group of countries, including Japan. Scandinavia, and Portugal. , Information has also been received in Christchurch that, as the result of experiments carried out in Canada under the direction of Dr. L. E. Kirk, agrostologist to the Canadian Government, considerable progress has been made toward the production of perennial wheat. A Canadian Experiment The project of developing a perennial wheat was begun in Canada two years ago, and since then it has been prosecuted vigorously on an extensive scale. About 20.000 cross pollinations were made in 1935 and about 50,000 in 1936. both in greenhouses under artificial light during the winter months and in the field during the summer. A dozen species and varieties of wheat and an equal number of species of other grains were used. There still remains a great deal of work to be done before the desired objectives are reached. Dr. Kirk emphasises. A wide range of. hybrid material is on hand from which selections can be made, and it is stated thajt it is at present impossible to predict just what types of plants out of this material will be found most suitable and useful. It is believed, however, that these crosses between wheat and grasses may easily result in new types of forage plants of great value to agriculture throughout the world. In official circles in Canada, it is declared altogether likely that perennial wheat can be obtained also, but it is believed doubtful whether wheats which will measure up to the high standards of quality which are required in Canada will be attained. SHEEPSKIN SALE PRICES RECEDE i ——— The Christchurch Woolbrokers' Association report having held their weekly skin sale yesterday. The sale was very dragging, prices being down on last week about Id per lb for dry skins, and up about Is on green skins. The following is the range of values:— Sound. Faulty. Halfbred— d. d. d. d. Three-quarter to fullwoolled .. 14 to 16i 131 to 15 Half-woolled 12£ 114 Short .. Three-quarterbred— Three-quarter to f u 11woolled .. 14J to 15 112 to 13* Half-woolled 131 10 Short .. Hi 81 Crossbred — Three-quarter to i u 11woolled .. 14£ to 15 Hi to 12* Half-woolled 13 93 Short .. 105 8i Merino— Three-quarter to fullwoolled .. Hoggets— Halfbred 15 14 Three-quarter-bred .. 14 12* Crossbred .. 14 124 Pelts .. 7 5J Green Skins » Halfbred, 5s 3d to lis 9d; threequarterbred, 6s 2d to 10s 2d; crossbred, 13s 2d; merino, 12s; hoggets, 6s sd. THE METALS MARKET LONDON, June 2. June 1. June 2. Copper— £ s. d. £ s. d. Standard, spot 59 17 6 61 3 9 Forward .. 58 6 3 59 10 0 - Electrolytic 64 0 0 64 0 0 to .. 65 0 0 66 0 0 Wire bars .. 65 0 0 66 0 0 Lead— Spot .. 23 17 6 24 8 9 Forward .. 23 15 0 24 6 3 SpelterSpot .. 22 15 0 23 10 0 Forward .. 22 18 9 23 15 0 TinSpot ..249 7 6 255 10 0 Forward .. 248 2 6 254 2 6 SilverFine, per oz. 20Ad 20 5-16 d Standard per oz. .. 21£ d 21-15-16 d NORTH AUCKLAND DAIRY FACTORY CLOSED (I'&ESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.! WHANGAREL June 3. The Springhead Dairy Company's factory at Maungatapere. established 21 years ago, closed this week, when the supply was diverted to the Maungatapere Company's factory across the road. The decision to close followed a ruling by the Executive Commission of Agriculture about zoning and the supply was taken over on terms agreeable to both parties.