CROP PROSPECTS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 14 December 1916, Page 7

CROP PROSPECTS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Roe. December 13, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, December 12. Bearing upon tho Minister's statement with regard to tho reduction of tho wheat yield, it is pointed out that tho summer so far lias been exceptionally wet, alternating between heavy rain and' wind storms, and big heat. Tho past few weeks lias caused serious damage, and rust is widespread and increasingly prevalent. Wide areas have been battered down by tho rain, and it will bo an expensive process reaping these, even if it is possible Summer fruits are also suffering severely. There is much rotting in the trees owing to the continuous rain. Oh the oher hand, the green orops are superabundant, and the pastoral outlook is excellent. (Roc. December 13, 10.20 p.m.) Melbourne, December 12. In the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. AV. M. Hughes (tho Federal Premier) announced that tho now wheat crop and the balance of last season's grain, not exceeding threo million tons, had been sold to Britain at 'Is. 9d. per bushed, f.o.b. An immediate advance of 2s. 6d. per bushel would be made to the farmers. Sufficient grain would bo kept for homo use, ana the remainder shipped during tlio first six months of 1917. Preliminary estimates place the new crop at 145,000,000 bushels. Allowing for tho damage by..rains and rust, tho "yield will probably not exceed 120,000,000 bushels. i