1920] 



on British Crop Production 



57 



It is affected by the season, being greater in some years than in 

 others. It is affected also by soil conditions. 



At present the strength of the straw is the wall against which 

 the agricultural improver is pulled up. The problem can undoubtedly 

 be solved, and the plant breeder and soil investigator between them 

 may reasonably hope to find the solution. 



Another great effect of artificial fertilisers which has not yet been 

 fully exploited is to mitigate the ill effects of adverse climatic con- 

 ditions. Phosphates help to counteract the harmful influence of cold 

 wet weather ; potassic fertilisers help the plant in dry conditions. 

 The combination of a suitable variety with an appropriate scheme of 

 manuring is capable of bringing about considerable improvement 

 in crop production. 



A demonstration with the oat crop on these lines was arranged 

 last year in a wet moorland district, and the crops when seen in 

 August were as follows : — 



Estimated Crop 



Local variety, local treatment 



,, „ Phosphatic manuring 



Special variety "Yielder," phosphatic \ 

 manuring . . . . . . I 



Bushels 



27 

 45-54 



54-66 



Harvest late 

 ,, earlier 

 „ earlier, 

 stands up well 



The potato crop is governed by the same general principles as 

 corn crops. It furnishes more food per acre than any other crop, 

 but it is much more expensive to produce, and therefore is grown 

 chiefly in districts where the conditions are particularly well suited 

 to it: the Fens, Lincolnshire, the plains of Lancashire, etc., the 

 Lothians, though smaller quantities are grown in almost every part 

 of the country. The production and consumption are as follows : — 



Potatoes 



Annual Production and Consumption. 

 Millions of Tons. 



