18 WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND 



is admirably suitable for the growth of wheat owing to 

 the fact that abundant rains are common in spring and 

 early summer, while a dry autumn renders harvest 

 operations free of risk. 



The method of cultivation has been extensive, and 

 owing to diminishing returns the margin of production 

 has gradually moved from East to West. But more 

 intensive cultivation is being taken up owing to the 

 economic pressure of an increasing population, and the 

 evolutionary law of increasing returns is being illus- 

 trated, resulting in the centre of production gradually 

 coming back from West to East. Moreover, on account 

 of the increase of population combined with the increase 

 in consumption both absolutely and relatively, larger 

 supplies are being required annually, and consequently 

 the United States of America is already a declining 

 factor in the world's wheat market. 



In the wheat producing areas of Russia natural 

 conditions are not less favourable to production than 

 in the United States of America. Immense undeveloped 

 tracts of land similar to those in the wheat belt of the 

 United States of America constitute an ideal field for 

 wheat production, while climatic conditions are equally 

 advantageous. But this similarity to the United States 

 of America in natural resources is counterbalanced by 

 dissimilarity in political practice, social theory, and 

 economic conditions. The general ignorance of the 

 people, poverty combined with absolute indifference to 

 improvements in cultivation and production, the depen- 

 dence of the Russian proletariat, and the oppression of 

 the wealthy, all engender inefficiency, and retard the 

 rate of progress.* 



Canadian land and climate are so favourably situated 

 for the efficient production of wheat, that very high 

 qualities are produced. Copious rainfall in the growing 

 season followed by a dry autumn, are the chief features 

 of the climate, while the soil is of the heavy black type, 

 so favourable to the growth of wheat. In India and 



* Written before the events of 1917. 



