WHEAT PROSPECTS IN RUSSIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17756, 17 September 1927, Page 15

WHEAT PROSPECTS IN RUSSIA.

’ —According' to reports received' in London at the beginning of July, weather conditions in the wheat areas of Russia in June were cold and rainy in the north-west and centre,r.but, comparatively hot and dry in the south-east. , Raids giving iiti fall of two to'four inches w'eberrecorded id the western- parts of the-middle-Volga and' lower Volga regions, which somewhat relieved the drought which had been experienced there.’ Excessive moisture and absence of warm weather in the north-west had, in some parts, affected the wheat crops unfavourably, ajid. throughout the great northern region the- winter crops were in ear or in flower, and on the whole their condition was average. Spring crops were average. The state of - the winter‘drops In the central areas was, if anything, above the usual condition at that period of the year. The plants in the south-east of the midM< Volga had deteriorated, but else-where,-they, were satisfactory. The Siberian crops also Were up to average., ;Although Russia has made ■great headway in production of wheat in recent years, it has not had a large surplus available for export, approximately 40,000,000 bushels last season contrasting with a prewar surplus Of about 169,000,000 bushels. In the- last few seasons the lack of transport facilities in Russia has made it difficult for growers there to get their , wheat to the seabpard, and in view of. the state offi the, finances,.of .the country a similar difficulty may arise in the current season, as -funds ..are not available to put the Tailways and rolling stock in good order.,