WHEAT IN EUROPE 333 



from cradle to binder. Up-to-date machinery is, 

 however, the rule. Most of the wheat is stacked, 

 sometimes in barns, often out of doors on raised 

 stack stools which prevent the stack bottoms 

 from molding. Except in isolated regions where 

 the flail is still employed, the modern thresher is 

 used. 



The total annual production is about 60,000,000 

 bushels with an average yield of a little more than 

 30 bushels per acre. On the well cared for fields 

 of eastern England, yields of 60 bushels per acre 

 are by no means uncommon. 



Transportation facilities are excellent. The 

 country roads are as well kept as are many of the 

 boulevards which lead to American cities. Rail- 

 ways ramify every part of the region and thus 

 place the producer within easy access of the 

 greatest wheat markets of the world. 



The Wheat Markets of Great Britain.- - Since 

 Great Britain consumes much more wheat than she 

 raises, the markets are largely local. There is no 

 need of such an extensive system of marketing as 

 is in operation in the United States. 



In spite of a comparatively large production, 

 Great Britain imports about 180,000,000 bushels 

 of wheat annually. For import purposes her 

 location is splendid, for she is within easy reach of 

 the great wheat fields of the world. She strives to 

 obtain her necessary imports as largely as possible 



