25 Apkil, 1917.] German Challenge to British Agriculture. 



205 



Table III. 



Comparison of average yield per acre of corn, potatoes, and hay in 

 England and Wales and Germany, over a period of 25 years. 



It will be seen that England has increased her average wheat yield 

 in 25 years by 1.7 bushels, barley yield by .3 bushel, oats by .2 bushel, 

 and potatoes by .3 ton per acre. The yield of meadow hay declined 

 by 3 cwt. per acre. That is to say, the yields over a 25-year period are 

 practically stationar}^ 



On the other hand, Germany has increased her average wheat yield 

 by 11.8 bushels, barley by 14 bushels, oats by 18.9 bushels, potatoes 

 by 2 tons per acre, and meadow hay by 11.2 cwt. An average increase 

 of nearly 60 per cent, in yield per acre. 



Of course one might be inclined to argue that 25 years aga 

 the average yield per acre of Germany was so low that it was capable 

 of great improvement, whereas British yields have always been kept at 

 a high standard, and further profitable increases were not possible on 

 account of the law of diminishing returns. This may be so, but it is 

 more probable that the yields obtained in Germany 25 years 

 ago were the maximum yields possible under the agricultural methods 

 then practised, and that the phenomenal increases are due to improved 

 methods of tillage. 



This much seems certain, the soils of Germany are not as fertile, 

 nor is the climate so suitable for the production of heavy yields of 

 cereals, roots, and hay, as those of Great Britain. English agricultural 

 writers generally assume, and German writers tacitly admit, that the 

 soils and climate of Great Britain are superior to those of Germany. 



That the increase in production is accounted for by increased 

 efficiency of the farmers may best be seen by comparing the average 

 yields over a series of five-year periods. When the averages are taken 

 over quinquennial periods the effect of variations in the seasons is 

 eliminated, and the gradual improvement in yield is thrown into relief. 



In the first graph are summarized the composite average yields of 

 wheat, barley, oats, and rye in five-year periods for the past 35 

 years. The average yields have been calculated in bushels of 50 lbs., 

 representing the average weight of a bushel of oats, barley, and wheat. 



This graph brings out in striking fashion the steadv and continuous 

 improvement in efficiencv in the culture of cereal crops. For fifteen 



