S46 



Yield of Potato and Eoot Crops. [Dec, 



Consignments of 5 cwt. and upwards are easily disposed of to 

 feather merchants, and smaller quantities can often be sold pri- 

 vately, and possibly better prices obtained than the merchant 

 will give. A list of names of dealers in feathers can be had on 

 appHcation to the Ministry, 10, Whitehall Place, S.W.I. 



****** 



Potatoes. — At the end of October probably about three-fourths 

 of the potatoes had been lifted in the country as a whole. 

 Probable Yield ^^^^^^er conditions had been favourable 

 Potato and "^^^ ^^^^ tubers stored in dry condition. 

 Root Cro s ^^^^ ^^^^ healthy :and the tubers 

 ^ * mostly large, though there are occasional 

 reports of disease and damage by slugs. Heavy crops will be 

 obtained in all parts of the country except in the north-west, 

 where they are considered about average. The yield per acre 

 was estimated on 1st November at 7 tons per acre, or 1 ton per 

 acre above average, which would give a total production of 

 about 3,920,000 tons in England and Wales against 2,960,000 

 tons last year. 



Roots. — The pulling and storing of mangolds was in progress 

 at the end of October, and in some districts the bulk of the crop 

 liad been harvested. Yields well over the average will be 

 obtained in the east and south-east, but in other parts of the 

 country the roots are mostly sm:all and yields somewhat below- 

 average are expected in the north and in Wales. Turnips 

 and swedes are rather small in most districts. These crops 

 also have done best in the east and south-east, whilst in 

 the north-west and in Wales under average yields are expected. 

 The yields per acre of both mangolds, turnips and swedes 

 ■over the whole country are expected to prove about 7 per cent, 

 above taverage, mangolds being forecasted at rather more than 

 20 tons and turnips and swedes at slightly over 13 tons per 

 :acre. These yields would give a total production of mangolds 

 of 8,500.000 tons against 6,250,000 tons last year, and of turnips 

 and swedes 10.860,000 tons against 6,600,000 tons in 1921. 



The appearance of the potrato and root crops on 1st November 

 indicated probable yields per acre as shown in the table below. 

 These forecasts, however, are not based on detailed inquiries 

 such as are carried out in connection with the final estimates 

 of yield issued after harvest, and therefore have not the same 

 degree of accuracy. It should also be borne in mind that the 



