)J94 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



NOTES. 



The Extent of the Union and the Area Cultivated. 



The Extent of the Farm Lands. — The Union is a high-lying 

 fountrv with more than 40 per cent, of its extent 4000 feet above sea- 

 level, "and covers 473,096 sqnare miles, or 302,782,000 acres. The 

 latest statistics (Census, 1918) regarding the manner in which the land 

 is used show that in 1918 there were 76,149 farms, and that the area 

 taken up in farming (including native locations, reserves, etc.) was 

 229,270,000 acres. Thus it Avill be seen that of the total extent of the 

 TTuion 75 per cent, is taken up in farm lands. 



Land under Cultivation. — In 1918 the area cultivated was as 

 follows : — 



Agricultural Crops 7,502,416 aci-es. 



Fruit 181,762 



' Timber 462,096 



Fallow 1,940,290 



INTative Locations, Reserves, etc. ... 3,769,588* ,, 



Total 13,856,152 acres. 



In other words, 4.57 per cent, of the whole extent of the Union 

 was cultivated in 1918. 



For purposes of ascertaining the progress made in recent years 

 reference to the 1911 Census shows that the area of land cultivated 

 then was — 



Under cultivation 3,282,971 morgen 



Lying fallow 892,929 ,, 



4,175,900 morgen 



or 8,815,800 acres, being equal to 2.91 per cent, of the Union's total 

 acreage. This shows that during- the years 1911 to 1918 the extent 

 of land under cultivation had increased by 5,040,352 acres, or 1.66 

 per cent. 



Acreage under Cultivation in Other Countries. — It is interesting 

 to observe the position in other countries, and the following table 

 is compiled for the purpose of showing how the Union compares 

 with other parts of the world in so far as cultivation of the boil is 

 concerned. It must be borne in mind, of course, that in some 

 countries where the percentage of cultivated land is low, arid or 

 arctic conditions prevail over a wide area, and the proportion of pro- 

 ductiA^e land is very small. The percentages hereunder were classified 



Not enumerated separately. 



