THe JOUKNAI^ 



OF 



T^fie department oj M^ncufture 



OP 



VICTORIA. 



Vol. XIV. Part 5. 



10th May, 1916. 



THE WHEAT CROP FOR 1916. 



A. E. V. Richardson, M.A., Ji.Sc, Af/ricultiiral Superintendent. 



U— RETROSPECT. 



Never in our history iiave the problems associated with the produc- 

 tion, marketing, and financing of the Av^stralian wheat crop awakened 

 such lively interest on the part of Governments, politicians, primary 

 producers and consumers. This interest has arisen from the general 

 recognition of the important part played by our staple crop in relation 

 both to Imperial necessities and to home finance. 



In 1914, Canada's crop was a partial failure, whilst Australia failed 

 to produce sufficient grain for home requirements. Hence Great Britain 

 was compelled to fill her grain requirements from foreign sources, and 

 send either goods, foreign securities or gold to liquidate the debt. 



In 1915, on the other hand, Canada and Australia, thanks to a 

 propitious season, the stimulus of high prices of wheat, and the ]u-actical 

 encouragement given to farmers by the respective Governments, s?eded 

 a record acreage to wheat and secured the biggest crop on record. This 

 served the twofold purpose of relieving the Motlier Country of the em- 

 barrassment of dependence on foreign supplies and of assisting the 

 Dominions to meet loan obligations and to restore a favoralile trade 

 balance. 



In December, 1914, an appeal was made to wheat growers to seed 

 a record acreage in 1915. At the time the apj^eal was made the pastoral 

 and agricultural industries of Australia were in a most critical condition 

 on account of the drought through which they had just passed. 



With both seed and fodder at high prices and labour scarce it seemed 

 somewhat hopeless to advocate large sowings. The outlook, howpver, 

 4444. 



