THE AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2093, 21 March 1889, Page 3

THE AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

— — — — : — > ■ . The official return of the crops m South Canterbury havipg beep publishes we are now enabled to give the complete harvest returns for the entire Provincial district of Canterbury, which are as follows ; — . Average Aores Bushels bushels OT , .(1889 241,621 5,531,560 22-09 wneat \IBBB 237,551 5,928,773 24-95 n . (1889 133,810 3,631,294 27-13 Oatß 11888 122,941 3,639,354 29-60 B , /1889 18,678 532,150 28-49 Barley | 8Q 307 , 193 2 7-16 These figures show as the estimated results of what is universally described as one of the most abundant harvests ever reaped m the province a falling off jn production of nearly three bushels an acre of wheat, and two and a half bushels an acre of oats. $ar}ey has an increased yield of 1£ bushels per acre. We can only say that if this year's returns are correct, the production of preVioug years must have been greatly overstated. Indeed, we have heard it said that the reason why this year's production is computed at such low averages is that representations were made to the Government that farmers were m the habit of overstating the yields of their holdings, and the enumerators were consequently enjoined to keep on the safe Bide. Whether o* not this statement is correct we will not say, but there will be few found to agree with the official estimate of the wheat yield for Canterbury this season at 22 bushels per acre. From good information at our command we would say that the average is at least 25 bushels, and the satisfactory threshing machine tallies go to confirm our estimate. Oats are admittedly an irregular, and frequently disappointing crop, and the average bl this/weal, as also that of barley, may be fairly accurate ; they are certainly no( above the mark. The figures for th« province shew that the increased cultiva- [ lion of grain instead pf being chiefly m wheat is almost entirely In oats and > barley.