19-21.] 



467 



larly adapted for the cultivation of wheat, especially on account 

 of the heat and dron^^ht to which much of the land is subject. 

 Better methods of cultivation, and, in particular, the growth 

 of leguminous plants, which serve both to feed cattle and im- 

 prove the land, would go far, it is believed, to overcame 

 climatic disadvantages and raise the average of production. 

 According to the most recent official estimate for the year 

 1920-1921, the total national requirements of wheat, includ- 

 ing seed (of which 3 million quarters are required) , are 30 

 million quarters. This will be provided as follows: — Home- 

 grown wheat, 17J million quarters; Foreign wheat. 12.} million 

 quarters. 



Among the other crops mentioned in the report, maize, with 

 a yield in 1920 of 10 million quarters, still occupies an area 

 of about one-third of that of wheat, although it is diminishing. 

 Tobacco, which is a State monopoly, resulted in a yield of 

 246,000 cwt. in 1920. Beetroot, a recent introduction, is now 

 cultivated on a large scale, the yield in 1920 being 29 million 

 cwt. , and allows for the production of sugar by national factories 

 in quantities almost sufficient for the requirements of the 

 country. The yield of oats was 2 J million quarters; barley, 

 700,000 quarters; rye, over 500,000 quarters; and potatoes, 

 1,400,000 tons. The export of dried vegetables, which in pre- 

 war days reached nearly 600,000 cwt. a year, fell to 427,000 

 cwt. in 1919. The total yield of pulse plants, which are now 

 cultivated in several districts, is about 14 million cwt. The 

 gro\\i;h of forage has been increased and now attains a produc- 

 tion of over 450,000 cwt. 



Italy's stock of animals has increased since 1908. Horses 

 and asses each number about a million; mules, half-a-million; 

 cattle, 6 J million; swine, 2J million; sheep, llf million; and 

 goats, 3 million. 



Among the projects for developing the commercial relations 

 between Italy and the United Kingdom is one for the estab- 

 lishment of a rapid overland service for the carriage of perish- 

 able goods, especially fruit and vegetables, similar to that 

 which existed before the war between Italy and the Central 

 Empires. Agriculturists contend that the future of Italy lies 

 in agriculture. Her natural resources and advantages are 

 still what they were, and though weakened by her war efforts, 

 as well as by labour troubles after the War, it is confidently 

 believed that there is no reason why she should not regain 

 her former position. Th<^ vei v inijioi'tnnt hvdio-electric plants 



F 2 



