206 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [25 April, 1917. 



years, namely, 1879 to 1893, the yield per acre remained practically 

 stationary and only increased by 1.2 bushels. During the last twenty 

 years, however, the yield jumped from 24.4 bushels to 35.6 bnsbels per 

 acre, an increase of 11.2 bushels, or approximately ten times the average 

 increase for the first fifteen years. Similarly with regard to the potata 

 yield.s (page 20S) during the first fifteoi years of the period the average 

 yield per acre increased from 3.05 to 3.48 tons. During the last twenty 

 years the yield increased from 3.48 to 5.46 tons per acre — an increase 

 .of 1.96 tons, or a percentage increase of 58 per cent. 



GRAPH SHOWING COMPOSITE AVLRACE YIELD PER ACRE OF WHEAT BARLEY OATS & RYE 

 INCtRMANV IN QUINQUENNIAL PERIODS FOR PAST 35 YEARS 



The graphs show the increases in yield of various crops per acre. 

 Another interesting example of the technical improvements effected in 

 German agricidture is afforded by considering the improvements made 

 in the quality of the crops. Take, as an example, sugar beet. In the 

 days of Napoleon, who established the beet industry, the beet root 

 contained only 7 per cent, of sugar. By continuous selection the sugar 

 content of beets has been raised to at least 18 per cent, of sugar. 



