191 1.] Crop Conditions on November ist. 699 



in any year since 1901* Beans were 5 bushels per acre below average, 

 and notwithstanding a substantially increased acreage, gave a total 

 crop of 120,000 quarters less than in 19 10. The yield of Peas was 

 slightly better than in 19 10, but nearly a bushel per acre 

 below average. Clover and "Seeds" Hay yielded 5 cwt. 

 per acre, or 16 per cent., below average, while Meadow Hay 

 gave little more than three-fourths of an average. The total crop of 

 Clover and "Seeds" Hay is the smallest since 1893, and of Meadow 

 Hay the smallest since 1901. Altogether, the Hay crop of 191 1, 

 amounting to 7,183,240 tons, is 2,333,000 tons less than that of 1910, 

 and about 20 per cent, below the ten years' average. 



The Crop Reporters of the Board, in reporting on the state of the 

 crops and the agricultural conditions on November ist, speak unani- 

 Crop Conditions mousl y of the unusually excellent quality and 

 . n . -n . condition of both wheat and barley when 



m Great Britain , . , uu , , , . / , . 



_ T , - , harvested, although here and there barley is 

 on November 1st. . u . . f . . y 



rather steely and the grain is sometimes 



small. Oats are not so universally satisfactory, although quality and 

 condition are generally very good. The yield of wheat was also good, 

 as shown by the recently published preliminary returns, the total, on 

 an area of 1,906,043 acres, amounting to 7,832,196 quarters, or 32*87 

 bushels per acre. 1,597,865 acres of barley yielded 6,373,647 quarters 

 (31*91 bushels per acre, or 1^ bushels below average); while the oat 

 harvest was distinctly poor, 3,010,649 acres yielding only 37*98 bushels 

 per acre (more than 2 below average), or 14,294,036 quarters altogether. 

 Relatively better results were secured in Scotland than in England. 



Beans yielded only 25*21 bushels per acre, almost 5 bushels below 

 average, and notwithstanding a substantially increased acreage gave a 

 total crop of only 960,139 qr., or 120,000 qr. less than in 1910. Peas 

 were not so seriously deficient, the total being 462,151 qr., or 26*37 bush, 

 per acre, which is less than 1 bush, below the average. 



Good progress has been made with potato lifting, which is prac- 

 tically, or very nearly, finished throughout Great Britain. The potatoes 

 are not large, but are generally of good quality, except where second 

 growth has occurred ; there is a considerable amount of this, but 

 unusually little potato disease. 



Mangolds have very generally been lifted in good condition, though 

 the roots are mostly small. Turnips and swedes are almost everywhere 

 a bad crop and much mildewed, some areas being entirely lost. In 

 Scotland, however, and in the northern districts of England, the October 

 rains had effected some improvement, and several reports state that 

 these roots were still growing at the end of the month. 



Excellent progress has, except on certain heavy lands, been made 

 with autumn cultivation, the October rains having generally been 

 adequate for the purpose, although here and there it is stated that 

 they have been so much as to delay the work of sowing, and, rather 

 more frequently, that they have not been sufficient to render the heavier 

 lands workable, especially in the east of England. Large breadths 

 of corn have been sown ; indeed, in many places the winter wheat is 

 nearly all in the ground, and the young crop is everywhere looking 

 very well. 



3 B 2 



