Crop Conditions on October ist. [oct., 



agricultural purposes, mares kept for breeding and unbroken horses, 

 a return has been obtained for the first time of other horses kept on 

 farms. The number of these is returned as 146,818, but it is probable 

 that in previous years some now returned under this heading may have 

 been erroneously included in the returns. The reduction shown in the 

 classes for which a comparison is possible is therefore in all probability 

 less than the figures indicate. The number of cattle returned on 

 June 5th was 76,937 more than in 19 10, the total now being the 

 largest on record. The number of sheep declined by 607,953, and 

 thus fell lower than in any year since 1907. On the other hand, pigs 

 increased by no less than 20 per cent., the total number being restored 

 to the same level as in 1908. 



The reports furnished by the Crop Reporters of the Board on the 

 agricultural conditions on October ist show that such corn as was still 

 outstanding at the end of August had all been 

 Crop Conditions harvested during the past month, mostly 

 in Great Britain within the first week, and that only in the 

 on October 1st. extreme north of Scotland was any remaining 

 to be secured. 



Potatoes were not suited by the weather of September, and a small 

 deterioration is to be noted. Some progress has been made with lifting 

 in most districts, and the tubers generally prove to be small. Second 

 growth is common, but, on the other hand, the crop is generally very 

 free from disease. The yield, in Great Britain as a whole, is expected 

 to be about 96 per cent, of an average crop. 



Roots have suffered badly during the month, particularly turnips 

 and swedes. The rains at the end of August encouraged hopes that 

 turnips and swedes would improve, but the subsequent hot drought 

 in the first fortnight of September proved disastrous, and the more 

 suitable weather in the latter half had no effect in retrieving the 

 situation. A very few good crops are reported from parts of Wales 

 and western Scotland, but elsewhere even average crops are exceedingly 

 scarce, and by far the greater number of the reports describe them as 

 very bad and mildewed. Mangolds have done better than turnips and 

 swedes, and bad yields are not nearly so universal; still, the crop 

 generally is much below normal. Representing an average yield by 

 100, the appearance of the roots on October ist indicated yields for 

 Great Britain which may be represented by the following percentages : 

 turnips and swedes, 78; mangolds, 91. 



The early harvest of. 19 11 has allowed good progress to be made 

 with autumn cultivation on all light soils ; but heavier lands, in the 

 absence of sufficient rain, remained in many districts too hard for 

 working. Fair breadths of wheat had already been sown in various 

 districts throughout England, even as far north as Durham, although 

 this work was perhaps more backward in the east. 



" Seeds " are not at all satisfactory, except in some districts in the 

 north of England. Many fields have practically perished during the 

 drought, and most others are thin and patchy. In many localities 

 seeds have been ploughed up, and the land planted with mustard and 

 other catch crops, especially in the west and south-west. 



