AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

West Coast Times, 22 March 1910, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

[BY TELEGRAPH—r'SR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, March 21

Further statistics have been prepared by the Agricultural Department regarding the crops in New Zealand. It i-s pointed out that the threshing of grain crops so far as it, has progressed has produced yields, stil Irnore disappointing than those which were reported a mouth ago, and a further reduction in the estimates has, to be made. Many crops have yielded, on threshing, twenty-five to fifty per cent less than was indicated by their when stacked. The causes of the deficiency are the dry weather and high winds in December, which caused injuries preventing the heads from filling. Damage in a minor degree was caused by caterpillars, small birds, Hessian fly and rust. Probably the shortage may bo slightly modified by the result of'the threshing which remains to be done, the present estimate being necessarily based on partial returns. The main potato crop is abundant bult disease has lately spread widely. The situation regarding pastures, fodder and toot crops is, generally satisfactory, though the enemies of turnips have apoared in some districts.