i26o Agricultural Conditions on ist March. [mar.» 



and marketing, and their advice on these matters was often sought. 

 The question of obtaining statistics concerning the home production 

 of tomatoes was engaging the attention of the Ministry, but the diffi- 

 culties of obtaining data were very great. He understood that weekly 

 returns of the imports of tomatoes could be obtained on application to 

 the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. (3rd March, 1920.) 



Potash imparts from Germany. — In reply to questions by Sir R, 

 Cooper, the President of the Board of Trade stated that no import 

 licences were required for the importation into this country of potash 

 from Germany. Certain quantities of potash salts had been received 

 from Germany by His Majesty's Government as part payment for food 

 supplied to Germany. They were taken over from the British Govern- 

 ment by the British Potash Company for resale under the authority of 

 the Potash Distribution Committee, which was set up to regulate the 

 prices and conditions of sale. Maximum prices to consumers had been 

 fixed, and: the profits of the British Potash Company were limited to 

 I per cent, of the gross turnover of the contract plus one-third 

 of any further profit, the remaining two-thirds reverting to the 

 Government. 



He further stated that he did not know anything about the commer- 

 cial importation of potash. No import licences were required, but in 

 so far as We receive such potash in payment from Germany the British 

 Government is bringing it in. (16th February 1920.) 



The monthly crop report of the Ministry on ist March was as 

 follows : — ^The mild and generally dry weather of February was very 

 favourable for field work, but in some districts 

 Agricultural Conditions in the north and west ploughing was checked 

 in England and Wales by rains. On the whole, however, very good 

 on 1st March. progress was made with cultivation, and this 

 work is much more forward than is usual at 

 the beginning of March. Spring sowing has been begun early and large 

 areas have already been sown in the south and east. Autumn-sown 

 crops have improved and, except for beans in some districts, are forward. 

 Wheat is healthy and vigorous and a full plant, and winter oats and 

 beans are very promising. It is estimated that there has been a con- 

 siderable falling off in the area sown with wheat up to ist March as 

 compared with the area sown at the corresponding date last year. 

 Probably from one-fourth to one-third of the wheat will need a top- 

 dressing in the spring. 



Seeds are very variable ; where there is a good plant the crop has 

 done well, but thin crops are common in practically all districts, and 

 many fields have been ploughed up. 



Ewes are in very fair condition. In the south-west, where lambing 

 is now general, the fall of lambs is satisfactory, and losses have been 

 few. In other parts of the countr^^ lambing in general is only just 

 beginning, but so far the fall of lambs has been about the average and 

 prospects are favourable. 



