DOMINION CROPS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 5

DOMINION CROPS.

AN OFFICIAL SURVEY. IMPROVED YIELDS ANTICIPATED. [From Ocr. CoRREsroxDKXT.] WELLINGTON. February 19. Th-5 Department of Agriculture accompanies its annual estimates of crop yields this season with a general survey of agricultural conditions in the Dominion." Wheat and oats, as the main items, receive most attention, and the figures are given in detail i" respsct to them a.s follows:-

The reports on crop conditions are summarised as follows: Auckland.-Season generally favourable to all cereal crops. )) heat and oats harvested mainly for chaft. Hoot ciop reported fair to good, and promise wtll in all northern counties after beneficial rain at the end ot January. Taranaki.—An excellent season experienced throughout, and all crop, promise very well. Hoot crops good. Potato blight reported in Eltiiam, Stratford and Clifton counties. 1 asttures generally very prolific. Hawke's Bay.—Climatic conditions moist and warm in the north, and most suitable for pastoral pursuits. Only a small area of cereal crops. Dannevirko and neighbouring counties experiencing dry weather unfavourable to root crops, which are very good elsewhere. Wellington.—Grain growing areas report very good crop? of wheat and oats. Manawatu and neighbouring counties "report slight rust in oats. Turnip crops promise well, and pastures generally arc in an excellent condition. . Nelson and Marlborough.—ln northern counties wheat and oats promisemuch better than anticipated. Amuri and Cheviot, counties come within the drought area, and cereal crops are very poor, wheat yielding only fifteen bushels at threshing in many cases. Canterbury.—ln all northern district crops are very poor, but an improvement is shown as the higher country is reached. Pastures are generally parched, and root crops in urgent need ol rain. In Ashley, Rangiora and Oxford frost experienced in November has injured wheat crops. South Canterbury.—Shows a slight improvement, but wheat crops only fair, and are yielding slightly better than in the north. Climatic conditions unfavourable; to oats, which are generally poor. Turnips in higher country promise fair, hut as the coast is approached root crops are in urgent need of rain. ~ Otago.—-Cereal crops in Waitaki, Maniototo and Taieri counties are generally very poor, owing to the lack of rain and the harmful effects of hot, dry winds. Throughout pastures are bare and much crop has been eaten oil by sheep. Climatic conditions very unfavourable to turnips. In Waihemo and Waikouaiti counties conditions are more favourable, and most crops are doing wall. Southland.—Throughout an excellent season has been experienced. Wheat and oat crops are very good, and high yields are expected. Root crops are very fair, and pastures excellent.

Estimated Actual Yields Yields Bushpls. (his Season. 1914-13. . 7,200,020 6,611.336 Oats ! . 12,722,733 Jl,«6.o01