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FIELDS DIVISION. REPORT OF R. B. TENNENT, DIRECTOR. The Season. During the year under review the climatic conditions varied to some extent in the different districts throughout the Dominion, but an outstanding feature was the well-distributed rain in most of the North Island, resulting in phenomenal growth during the months of spring and early summer. In the North Island generally the year was, taken as a whole, one of the best experienced from a climatic point of view, and this fact has been largely responsible for the satisfactory production. In the South Island, on the other hand, the season was remarkably dry. Following a mild winter, good growing-conditions prevailed in the early spring. More land was put under the plough than for many previous seasons, and the appeal for more crops as a special war effort was well responded to and was assisted by the favourable climatic conditions. The dry weather continued through the summer, and, while this factor enabled crops to be harvested early and rapidly, it made its effect felt seriously on stock and pastures, particularly in Canterbury and North Otago. National Council of Primary Production. The National Council of Primary Production, established shortly after the outbreak of war, has continued to give good service during the past year. It has tendered advice to the Government covering practically every aspect of farm organization, including labour, stock-feeds, fertilizers, farm supplies such as seeds, shearing requisites, wire ; also farm finance, land-development, and other topics. Generally, the Council has played a useful part in minimizing the disturbance of primary production consequent upon the war situation. The Commercial Advisory Committee attached to the National Council of Primary Production has done valuable work in connection with agricultural seeds of all kinds, advising the Department regarding export contracts. The Committee has also recommended the regulation of exports and imports, as necessary from time to time to ensure adequate supplies of the farm seeds required in New Zealand. The total number of District Councils of Primary Production under the supervision of the National Council has now reached thirty-two. After some initial difficulties the District Councils settled down to play a useful part in the organization of increased primary production. In addition to their other activities, the Councils have co-operated with the State Advances Corporation in the administration of the Farmers' Loans Emergency Regulations 1940, which were designed to assist with the financing of increased production. Moreover, with regard to farm labour the District Councils have done valuable work in minimizing the disorganization of farming following the removal of men for military service. They have also worked closely with local Man-power Committees and Armed Forces Appeal Boards in ensuring the postponement of military training in individual cases where primary production was likely to be seriously affected. A tribute is due to the many farmers, business men, and others who have given voluntary national service with the various organizations set up to increase primary production. Arable Crops. Wheat sowings were increased in many of the wheatgrowing districts, and good yields have been recorded. In Canterbury, however, the main wheatgrowing province, the acreage under this crop showed a reduction. The difficulty in preparing the land owing to excessive rainfall during May was largely responsible for the decrease. Farmers are prepared to grow wheat provided it can be sown from April until June, but the majority of growers in Canterbury will not grow spring wheat, which is a rather risky crop in that district. During the past season, however, a considerable amount of spring wheat was sown in Canterbury following a request of the Primary Production Council for an increased acreage, but most of this sowing gave a relatively poor yield. The early-sown crops, on the other hand, gave a very satisfactory return, and the quality of the grain is good. One of the features of wheatgrowing in Canterbury is the large area now sown in Cross 7 wheat. This variety is comparatively short in the straw and usually does not lodge. There was an increase of 15 per cent, to 20 cer pent, in the acreage of wheat in the Rangitikei, Manawatu, and Wairarapa areas. The sowing of the Tainui variety has increased in suitable localities, while in other parts Jumbuck is favoured. The wheat crop harvested during January-March, 1941, according to returns received from threshing-mill operators up to 22nd April, showed that 188,925 acres of wheat threshed returned a total yield of 6,137,192 bushels, the average yield per acre being 32 - 48 bushels. For the season 1939-40 the actual total area of wheat threshed was 257,532 acres, and this, with an average per-acre yield of 31-10 bushels, gave a total yield of 8,010,089 bushels. For 1940-41 the estimated area of wheat for threshing is 240,000 acres, and, as stated above, the per-acre yield from that portion of the crop already harvested is 32"48 bushels. The oat crops did fairly well this season in the South Island districts where they arc grown, and yields have compared favourably with previous years. This applies particularly to the heavier country, but in districts where the drought was severe the crops naturally suffered. On the whole, however,

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