ESTIMATED YIELDS OF WHEAT AND OAT CROPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 12

ESTIMATED YIELDS OF WHEAT AND OAT CROPS.

The following estimated average yields per acre of wheat and oats for 'the season 1919-20 have been compiled by the Government Statistician from reports furnished by inspectors of the Department of Agriculture throughout the Dominion and issued under date February 10 :

Average (estimated) for the Dominion, eeasan 1919-20 29.10 .38.35 Average (actual) for the Dominion, season 1918-19 31.57 _ 39.87 In accordance with the above estimates, the total yield of wheat for the Dominion should be approximately 4,100,000 bushels, as against an actual yield of '6,567,629 bushels for the season 1918-19. The percentage of oat crop threshed in 1918-19 was 35.44 of the total area under that crop. Assuming that a similar proportion is threshed this year, the total yield of grain should ha 5,575,000 bushels.., The oats threshed in the previous season yielded 6.884,609 bushels. ■ . The reports of the inspectors may be briefly summarised as follows: — ',£ ; North Island—Crops in the Rangitikei

district (th© principal grain-growing district of the North Island) are, generally, a good condition. The cold wet spring, followed by an extremely dry summer, has not been to th© advantage of Hawke's Bay. Taranaki 13 fair, whilst irt southern Wairarapa crops are affected with smut. Nelson.—Fair average crop. Marlborough.—Generally speaking, an average crop. Heavier lands show greater promise than light, owing to thi3 long dry spell. Some crops discoloured by recent rain.

Canterbury.—-Good fcrops. A late frost was experienced, but the damage dan© was Blight. Rust showing in the northern districts, whilst isolated cases of the disease known as "take all" have occurred in the central and southern portions. ' Ofcago.—Crops generally in good condition, but expected to be late. In Maniototo. Vincent, and Lake Counties crops poor and light. Southland.—Present weather is not very favourable, and crops are fairly light.

Wheat. Oats. District. Bushels Bushels per acre. per acre. North Island ..' .. .. .. 30.31 35.25 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 19.97 25.00 Marlborough .. .. .. 28.47 . 43.89 Canterbury .. .. ..• .. 29.16 38.45 Otago .. .. 28.89 38.49 Southland .. .. 31.76 38.60