I9II.] 



Crop Conditions on August ist. 



433 



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

 agricultural conditions on tiie ist August, especially refer to the effect 

 upon the crops and live stock of the prolonged 



Crop Conditions period of drought and heat. With the excep- 



in Great Britain tion of wheat, of which the prospects have 

 on August 1st. improved to an extent indicated by 2 per cent. 



on the probable yield, and of hops, which on 

 the whole appear to have maintained their position, all crops have more 

 or less deteriorated. The superiority of wheat over the other corn crops 

 has increased during the month, and while in yield it will be the 

 "crop of the year," reports as to its quality are also satisfactory. With 

 the exception of North Wales and the West Midland division of England 

 an average or over average yield may be expected in each division, 

 with a result for the whole of the country of a crop some 3 per cent, 

 above the average of the past ten years. Both barley and oats have 

 suffered from the drought, the latter, in particular, being frequently 

 described as thin and patchy. Both crops have ripened prematurely, 

 and the grain is light. In none of the divisions of the country is the 

 yield of barley expected to reach an average ; w^hile the results for oats 

 are still less promising, the yield for the country as a whole being fore- 

 casted at 8 per cent, below average. All three cereals are short in the 

 straw, and the harvesting of each is in progress throughout the 

 country. Beans are also short in the haulm and have suffered consider- 

 ably from attacks of " fly " as well as from the drought. They are 

 now expected to be as much below the average as oats. Peas also have 

 suffered from the lack of rain, and in some districts are reported to have 

 dried up. The yield, which on the ist of July was regarded as about 

 average, is now anticipated to be 5 per cent, below it. 



Potatoes are generally described as being in a healthy condition w Ith 

 a good growth, and marked freedom from disease. Rep6rts show that 

 early varieties have been lifting lightly, and the lack of rain will tend 

 to diminish the weight of the main crop. In Wales and Scotland the 

 ^ yield promises to exceed the average, but in England an under average 

 yield is predicted, and for the country, as a whole, the result will be 

 about an average. 



Roots have suffered from the long spell of dry weather, though 

 mangolds have been less affected than turnips and swedes. Mangolds 

 have made little progress and are generally backward, and the yield 

 for all divisions of England and Wales is expected to be below the 

 average. Turnips and swedes are frequently described as a poor plant, 

 and backward, and are much in need of rain. In Scotland the early 

 sown pieces are progressing more satisfactorily than the later sown. 



The hay crop was secured in good condition, very quickly, and with 

 little labour, the weather being for the most part favourable. The 

 \ields both for "seeds" hay and meadow hay are lighter than were 

 mticipated a month ago. Both crops are now put slightly lower than 

 1 month ago, and the total supply will be considerably below average. 

 1 Reports on hops in the south-eastern division state that the bine is 

 lUack owing to the drought, and rain is needed. Vermin is not now 

 generally prevalent, but the yield is not likely to reach an average. In 

 j he West Midland division reports are variable, and an average yield 

 nay be obtained, but for the country as a whole the crop is not expected 

 ;0 come up to an average. 



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