WHEAT AND OATS

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 13

WHEAT AND OATS

> ESTIMATED YIELDS. The following estimated average yields per acre of wheat and oats for the season 1917-18 have been compiled from reports furnished by the Fields Inspectors of the Department of Agriculture throughout the dominion, and are now published for general information; —

Average (estimated) for the dominion, season 1017-18 27.35 55.2 S Average (actual) for the dominion, season 1916-17 23.19 30.26 According to the above estimates, the total yield of wheat for the dominion should be approximately 7,800,000 bushels, as against an actual yield of 5,051,227 bushels in 1917. The yield of oats is much harder to estimate, as the proportions of the harvest respectively thrashed and chaffed depend to a great extent on market conditions. In 1915-17, 31.44 per cent, of the oat crop was thrashed, and if the same percentage obtains this year the yield of grain should be approximately 5,358,000 bushels. The oats thrashed last season yielded 5,371,436 bushels. The reports) of the Field. 3 Inspectors as to Lho condition of the crops in the various

districts may be briefly summarised as under:— *■ Auckland. —Comparatively little grain_ is grown for thrashing in 'this district. Owing to the wet autumn, winter, and early spring, sowing was in many cases delayed, and harvest will be late. Hawke's Bay.—A good deal of rain and heavy winds have done considerable damage to crops. Some of the grain will be discoloured owing to rain during harvest. Taranaki. —In most cases the crops have made good growth, but grain has not filled out as it should. Late frosts did some harm. Wellington.—Oops generally promise well, although grub and rust have appeared in places. Nelson. —Growth and condition of crops in this district are much better than last year. Marlborough.—Dry weather has 'prevented crops from maturing properly. Canterbury.—Crops . generally promised very well, but yields will in many cases be disappointing. Caterpillar, smut, and rust have caused material damage. Recent rains have laid some "growing grain, and, where harvest has commenced, nave caused mildew ajid discolouration. Otago.—Conditions generally have been very favourable. Blight and rust are in evidence in..places, snd some record crop's have been spoilt in this way. Rain also badly laid some heavy crops. Southland. —Crops generally are looking well, and the yield should Jye good. ■ln this district also heavy rams have done some damage

Wheat. Oats. Bushels \ Bushels District. • per acre. 1 per acre Auckland 27.26 31.40 Hawke'a Bay ... . 25.47 30.17 Taranaki 21.58 30.23 ■Wellington 24.39 80.59 Nelson 22 90 81.99 Marlborough . ... 22.05 35.64 Canterbury .. ... 27.04 0.31 Otago 29.92 39 57 Southland 30.00 42.33