1920.] 



Notes on Agriculture Abroad. 



1 107 



by the small holder, who would attend personally to all the 

 details, and for whom also it is adapted as allowing of the 

 conservation of small quantities of fodder. Doubts are raised 

 as to the suitability of this silage for meat and cheese pro- 

 duction. Wenckstern gives numerous analyses both of acid 

 contents and statements as to feeding value. The books of 

 Wirz and Wenckstern are both usefully illustrated. 



Economic Results of Drainagre. — In a small volume by 

 Griinert* most interesting figures are given as to the economic 

 results of drainage systems in various parts of Germany and 

 Austria. The following average percentage increases in crop 

 production are calculated on the basis of returns from drained 

 lands in Germany, Bohemia and Moravia : Wheat, 40-81 ; 

 Oats, 44-45 ; Barley, 41-64 ; Clover, 30-100 ; Sugar beet, 

 80-136; Potatoes, 90-180. 



Average increased returns for the 10 years, 1 905-1914, 

 from drainage on twenty-two estates in the Rhine Province 

 are as follows : — 



Crop. lb. per acre. Increase per cent. 



Rye 435 37 



Oats . . . . . . 670 . . 42 



Wheat .. ' .. .. 535 .. 30 



Potatoes . . . . . . 3,560 . . 50 



The average percentage increase is 40 per cent, estimated 

 at a value (on German pre-war prices) of 46.S. 6d. per acre. 



In the thirty years 1 887-1 91 7 the average increases in yields 

 attributable to drainage in the Archduchy of Austria are 

 worked out in a publication of the Lower- Austrian Land Com- 

 mittee as follows : — 



Cereals . . . . . . 803 lb. per acre. 



Potatoes . . . . . . 2,677 ,, 



Roots .. .. .. 11,600 ,, 



Hay 2,231 



Straw .. .. .. 1,249 „ 



The writer directs attention to the figures for roots and to 

 the increased yield of straw. 



Agrricultural Costlngrs. — Results of the Danish Costings Bureau 

 for the second year (i 917-18) have now been pubUshed.t 

 They are based on a total of 235 accounts, 182 of which w^ere 

 available for the first time for the year in question. As regards 

 the pig industry the report points out that the state of affairs 

 brought about by the introduction in February, 1917, of un- 

 restricted U-boat warfare culminated in the summer of that 



* Griinert : Anleitung zur Dranage. — Berlin, 1919. 



t Denmark: Undcrsogelser over Landbrugcts Driftsforhold IT, 1917-18, 



4 E 2 



