WHEAT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 31, 31 October 1907, Page 7

WHEAT.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA / EXPECTS A SURPLUS. iix tei.egrafh—rr.sss association—corriUKn?.. Adelaide, October' 30. Tho newspaper "Advertiser 1 '- estimates tho whoat yiold at 14,506,000 bushels, ail average of 7.91 bushels per acre. This gives an oxportable balance of 10,506,000 bushels. London, October 20. Tho total ; quantity;. of wheat. and flour afloat for tho; •United Kingdom is 2,035,000 quarters, and"' for tho Continout 1,925,000 quarters. Atlantic shipments, 317,000 quarters; Pacific shipments, 80,000 quarters. ' ■ ' Earlier in October, tho Adelaide "Observer" wrote:—"lt co.uld have been wished that last mouth had not been so fine: and dry, and'yet when the rain came it did n great doal to restore the wheat plant; to its former condition. It must- not be forgotten that splendid' rains wcro experienced, especially in the -far North. Then, too, useful showors during tho winter and that there was a reserve of moisturo in the sub-soil. Consequently tho crops entored upon September in' a thoroughly healthy condition.'' Had they not doito so thoy ,could , not; have stood up against the sunny days arid'hot winds that have, since been experienced.; Then too, unscful'showers have fallen fjince„the ,end of,the month,-, so that there is''nothing whatever in prospects" to cause despondency. A great deal will depend upon tho growing conditions during tho remainder of Octobor. Still, while' the Treasurer was justified when ho delivered his Budget speech in looking for an average return of nine bushels por acre, there is a fooling now that not moro than seven'-bushels will bo" reaped. Of course this is not an attempt to forecast the harvest at this distance.. At the same time, this opinion -may bo recorded. It is probable: that a larger- area will be left for wheat this year, for unless rain comes soon many crops will be very short. Moreover, whilo tbo price of hav promises to ho good, tho monetary return from wheat is likely to be bettor. On a seven-bushel avcrago tho total production of wheat would be about 11,000.000 bushels, which would be between 0,000,000 and 7,000.000 bushels smaller than during tho past couple offseasons, and about equal to the harvest of 190t-o." Sydney Press forecasts oxpross doubt as 'to : whether Now 'South Wales will harvest enough wheat for her own consumption.