WHEAT. 227 



This increase is, no doubt, due to the better varieties and 

 machinery introduced, as well as to heavy appUcations of 

 fertilisers, the generally improved methods employed in very 

 intensive farming, and the increased use of concentrates. 



The greatest increase in production is found in Argentine. 



In lyil, England averaged 33'8 bushels per acre. 



South African Production. — This has increased enorm- 

 ously under conditions created by the Great War. The pro- 

 duction, however, is likely to fall as soon as the world's 

 transport services become normal, and prices fall accordingly. 

 At present the Union produces about 60 per cent, of her home 

 consumption; Australia furnishes about 85 per cent., and 

 Argentine 15 per cent, of the remaining 40 per cent. 



Australia produces wheat much more cheaply than does 

 South Africa, and should the import duties and railway tarifi's 

 on imported wheat be abolished, the South x\frican production 

 is likely to fall lower than her pre-war production. 



The Provincial and Union production in pounds is given 

 below : — 



The Cape Province produces nearly 8590 per cent, of the 

 Union's output. The wheat produced in the Orange Free 

 State is nearly all grown in the eastern districts — i.e., the 

 "Conquered Territory," on dry lands; but its cultivation 

 here is being gradually displaced by maize. 



Wheat is a crop limited to areas of winter rainfall, and 

 as these areas are the South-West Cape districts and 

 Namaqualand, wheat production is likely to continue there. 

 Except on irrigated land, in the remaining parts of the 

 Union, the crop is so uncertain that summer crops — e.g., 

 maize — will gradually take its place. Valuable irrigated land 

 suitable for lucerne, tobacco, etc., will grow very little wheat 

 as the former are more profitable. Irrigated lands, though, at 

 some distance from the railway, will probably continue to grow 

 wheat. 



Origin and Classification. — Specimens have been 

 found in Switzerland in the ruins of the Stone Age. Chinese 

 history emphasises its importance in 2700 B.C. 



PercivaP believes the phylo^enetic relationship of the 

 several races of wheat to be as follows : — 



