THE WHEAT CROPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2407, 12 March 1915, Page 8

THE WHEAT CROPS

MORE MUST BE SOWN

STATEMENT BY BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

The Board of Agriculture reminds the farmers of New Zealand ot the gieat necessity, in tile interests of the Empire, that- the wheat areas should be largely augmented. To ensure our crop of wheat in the coining season bcin<; sufficient to feed the people of New Zealand, and leave enough for seed for the following season, at least 240,000 acres would require to be sown. The area in wheat during the present season has been 189,000 acres, so that 50,000 acres, or about 27 per cent, more would require to bo sown in the coming season than the present one to ensure that there is sufficient for the Dominion's use. Less would probably mean we should have to buy outside and from other countries probably less favoured than ourselves.

As the restriction as to price has been taken off by the Government there is every reason to think (continues an official announcement by the board) that the price will be a remunerative one. The board also suggests that those who intend to sow wheat in tho. coming season should procure seed grown in the Dominion, as imported wheat requires a considerable time to acclimatise, and generally gives unsatisfactory yields the first season.

The. board cautions farmers, however, that the above area should not be deducted from the area usually devoted to oats, for'if this were done the oats and-chaff grown would not be sufficient for our wants.