CEREALS. 



THE PRODUCTION OF WHEAT IN THE TROPICS. 

 By A. E. HUMPHRIES. 



Past President of the National Association of British and 

 Irish Millers. 



THE quantity of wheat produced in tropical countries 

 is relatively unimportant. In some it is indigenous, and 

 in those cases interest centres on the efforts of scientists 

 to supplement the empirical knowledge acquired by many 

 generations of growers; in others it is exotic, and the 

 story of the difficulties encountered, the efforts made, and 

 the success achieved in introducing and adapting wheat 

 to entirely new environments is full of interest. 



Wheat flourishes in temperate climes, and is regarded 

 as a most important product of the temperate zones, 

 but it must not be forgotten that temperate climes exist 

 also in the tropics; altitude may be as important as 

 latitude, so we find that an appreciable quantity is already 

 produced there. Let me briefly review the position from 

 that point of view. 



America. Although Mexico does not produce enough 

 for her own requirements, she does, nevertheless, grow 

 about 2,000,000 quarters per annum, almost entirely in 

 the torrid zone, but on the central tableland, at an 

 altitude of 6,000 to 10,000 ft. 



The Central American States produce moderate quan- 

 tities of wheat, though not enough for their own require- 

 ments, and comprise districts in which the climate and 

 soil are favourable to wheat production. Indeed, it is 

 said that in the provinces of Copan and Intibuca, in 

 Honduras, and on the highlands of Guatemala, the 

 conditions are favourable, or very favourable, for that 

 purpose. 

 I 



