608 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



The Position of the World's Cereals. 



In regard to that question oi surpassing interest—the world's 

 grain supply — to wliicJi reference has heen made in previous 

 issues of the Jonrnah most opportune information is published 

 by the International Institute of Agriculture, in the shape 

 of a pamphlet entitled "Statistical Ts^otes on Cereals." After 

 furnishiuR' an accurate statement of the cereal situation 

 during the current season, and collating in tabular form 

 all available data as to yield, trade, consumption, prices and 

 rates of ocean freight for wheat and rye, conclusions of great value 

 are brought out as to the supply of wheat and rye. Taking into 

 account the requirements of importing countries and the available 

 supply of exporting countries, the Institute estimates that after 

 f-urnishing all demands there should be in the latter countries on 

 the 1st August, 1920, a stock on hand of at least 24 million quintals 

 (10 quintals = 1 ton app.). 



The " Statistical Notes " include also the following forecasts 

 regarding the coming season, based upon such factors as are already 

 available : — 



{a) Importing countries: The generally favourable character of 

 the summer points to a good harvest in Europe. If that 

 promise is lealized, it may be assumed that the aggregate require- 

 ments of the large importers will be appreciably less than in the 

 past year. 



(!)) Exi)oiting countries: It is doubtful whether Roumania can 

 do anything material towards the world's supply next season, owing 

 to the seiiously reduced area sown last autumn. As regards Russia, 

 there is no means of forming a definite opinion. British India has 

 had a larger crop than last year and over the average. It therefore 

 seems prol)able that exports iiow prohibited will recommence next 

 season. The United States expect a crop falling short of that of 

 1919, but above the average of pre-war seasons. There are no official 

 Canadian estiinates yet available, but it is stated that the crop is 

 doing well and the yield may be considerably larger than last year's. 

 Taking into account the old crop stocks remaining on hand at the 

 opening of the new season, it may be assumed that the available 

 exportable surplus of wheat and, rye from North America during the 

 season 1920-21 will be greater than the quantity exported in the 

 current season. The outlook for the coming year, therefore, does 

 not appear to justify any serious anxiety, either with respect to the 

 needs of the importers or to the extent of available supplies in the 

 exporting countries. 



Advice to Consignors of Produce. 



Farmers forwarding produce to the coast should see that the bales 

 are properly marked with their initials, as well as those of the broker 

 to whom it is consigned. The contents of the bales should also be 

 marked thereon. Farmers are warned against the use of inferior or 

 second-hand woolpacks, as the wool so packed cannot be pressed to 

 comply with the present requirements of the shipping companies, and 

 consequently has to be repacked into new bales at the coast, which 

 means extra expense to the consignor. 



