AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2859, 30 December 1908, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

(Fbom Oxtb Own Cobrespondent.) WELLINGTON, December 23. ■ . The collection of J.he statistics began 1 on the 12th October and continued until the 7th November. The following is an interim return- of the acreage under crop and green crops. „ ■ Wheat. — Area- returned for threshing, 190&-9, 250,278 acres; 1907-8, 192,684 acnes;— increase, 57,594 acres.* The areas returned under the headings for "chaffing," "ensilage,"" and "feeding down" are : 1908-9, 824 acres ; * 1907-8, 837 acnes; — decrease, 13 acres. Total increase, 57,581 acres. ~ Oats. — The areas returned dot threshing I are : 1908-9, ' 401,034 acres ; 1907-8, . 586,626 acres ; — increase*' 14,408 acres. The areas returned under the headings for " chaffing, " "ensilage," and "feeding down" are: 1908-9, 327,977 acres; j 1907-8, 291,016 acres ;— increase, 36,971 1 acnes. Total increase, 51,369 acres. The following table shows the increases and decreases in acreage for the year in respect to the crops dealt with in this return : — Incbeases. Acres. Acres. Wheat .i .. 57,581 Other corn Oats .. .. 51,369 crops .... 517 Barley .. .. 11,643 Mangolds .. 2,248 Rye '2,399 Rape .. .. 51,028 Maize .. .. 2,814 Carrots .... 53 Vetches or tares 259 Potatoes .. 2,617 Tot»l .. .. 182,528 , Decheases. ; Acres. Acres. Peaa ». .- 1,687 Other green Beans .. ... 409 crops .. .. 3,340 Linseed .... 253 Hops ..... 173 Total -. ... 22,225 Turnips .. .. 16,287 Beet .... 76 Net increase 160,303' The amount of wheat on hand .is 1,756,299 bushels, as against 1,105,254, and the amount of oats 2,200,664 bushels ,' as against 1,082,246 last year.