522 



Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad. [sept., 



an increase of 8,265,000 qrs. over last year's output; this country has 

 in a large measure contributed to the improvement in the single 

 numerical statement. 



For the group of countries above specified the approximate estimate 

 of the production is 261,410,000 qrs., as compared with an output in 

 the same group of countries last year of 247,500,000 qrs., or 5*6 per cent, 

 above last year's total. The area under wheat in these countries is 

 4'5 per cent, greater than last year. It should, however, be remem- 

 bered that these figures may be materially affected by the absence of 

 definite information from several important countries, notably Russia 

 and France, to which further reference is made below. 



Barley. — The area under barley in the above specified countries 

 (excluding Roumania, United States, British India, and Tunis) is 

 estimated to be 16,430,000 acres, or nearly 1 per cent, more than last 

 year. The production has increased in a greater proportion than the 

 area, being estimated at 57,709,000 qrs., as against 52,932,000 qrs. last 

 year — an increase of 9 per cent. 



Oats. — The addition of the figures for Prussia, Hungary, and Canada 

 has caused a considerable increase in the totals for oats, and the area 

 in the last-mentioned group is 27,319,000 acres, as compared with 

 26,811,000 acres, or almost 2 per cent. more. The total production is 

 estimated at 117,545,000 qrs., as against 111,474,000 qrs. last year — an 

 increase of 5 per cent. 



Rye. — The area under this crop is about the same as last year, but 

 the production shows an increase of slightly more than 1 per cent. 



The following supplementary notes are given : — 

 France. — The first threshings of wheat and rye show that the quality 

 of the grain is excellent. The ears are, in general, fine and well filled. 

 The spring cereals have suffered more from the drought than the 

 autumn-sown crops. Oats have in some districts ripened too rapidly - ) 

 and the yield will not come up to estimates made at the end of June. 

 The out-turn of cereals generally is reported to be fairly satisfactory; 

 the yield of grain is average, but straw is short. 



Austria-Hungary. — The Austrian harvest of wheat, rye, and barley 

 is nearly finished; the quality is good, but the crop has suffered from 

 drought, and the grain is small and light. The maize crop looks poor. 

 In Hungary the outlook for maize is becoming worse, and a total 

 production only two-thirds of that of 19 10 is now looked for. 



Russia. — The general prospects for the wheat harvest in European 

 Russia are for "about an average crop." The harvest will be "insuffi- 

 cient " or "bad " in the east, but will be "good " in the south-west and 

 in the centre of Russia. 



Canada. — The condition of the crops on August 1st, expressed as 

 percentages of a "standard" condition, were as follows: — Winter 

 wheat, 90; barley, 88; oats, 88. 



Argentina. — The sowing of autumn cereals is nearly finished, and 

 has been carried out under favourable conditions. The seeds are coming 

 up well, and germination is regular. The area under wheat is estimated 

 at 5 per cent, more than last year, that under oats 12 per cent. more. 



Australia. — The sowing of autumn cereals is finished, and was com- 

 pleted under good conditions. The condition of all cereals on August 1st 

 was average. 



