NORTHERN HARVESTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 244, 3 July 1918, Page 8

NORTHERN HARVESTS

I'ROSI'KCTS IN BRITAIN A Nil . AMERICA. Serious importance attaches to flic news transmitted to-day in regard to the Inborn 1 'shortage which is endangering Iho prospects of fjottiiiy in the British harvest. Tlip British Primo Minister lately made ail urgent. npppiil tn wr-men to undertake work in the harvest .fields, and no doubt the appeal wilt inpef a reailv response, but it is evident ttint difficult problems have arisen. This is clearly indicated in Hie fact that the willing up of agricultural workers "combed out" for military service is I being postponed until after the harvest. The labour shortage and the possibility it occasions that British foocl reserves may be diminished is the more to be regretted, since in Britain and some other countries of Western Europe, good returns were anticipated from the spring sowing. The following note oil the subject was published in Aijierica in May:— "111 making the forecast'of the new crop tbo winter whef.t acreage in Europe is figured as i'onsKlerably sma'.lpr than last year, and was rather poorly put. in, owing to the small amount of fertiliser used. Wealhci' conditions, however, have been exceptionally good, and the promise .yield per acre is regarded as better than could ordinarily be expected. The soring whear acreage in Great Britain, .franco, Sweden, and Norway has been greatly increased, and prospects are for a good average yield. .Flour slocks (if. was added) are verv low in all countries, and are expected to be further reduced in the next two months.- The carry-over of wheat outside of Russia is estimated at. 1116.000,000 bushels which is liberal, considering tho war and high prices. Consumption has beou cut down by the war and high prices, anil while the carry-over has resulted largely from enforced saving, it is located.'mainly in Australia, Argentina, and" India, where it ennnot be readily exported owing to a scarcity of ocean tonnage." As regards the Amen'ciin harvest, a special correspondent of the i\ew York "Kvening Post" stated some weeks ago that "optimism as to our ability to exceed all early estimates of wheat production grows." Afier jemarking that prospects of various crops other than wheat generally good, he wont on to remark tlmt: "By all appearances wo should be able lo send abroad a larger portion of our crop this year than ever before, ami without causing complaint on the part of our own people. Here and there extra supplies of wheat and Hour are being discovered even now, and the neighbours are doing a first-class job of detective work, the complaints are made Ihs material is always forthcoming if it I'xijts, mill a t-pirit of willingness to co-operate,with flic Pood AdMinistration is manifest. If we can market our Western wheat early and if exporting during tho early fall'should reach large, proportions, it must relieve the pressure abroad, and our shipbuilding programme raay be abie to take care of the latter owl of the year through bringing Argentine and Australian wheat here. Phus the progress of the harvest* in the Middle West has both a material and psychological effect on the food situation, and indications are now that we shnll play a most important part iifllie matter of supplying the Allies If we can add some .'i0,000,000 bushels lo the crop .-iow expected, it will be worth far more than is commonly realised, for it will all be available for the relief of the AI i ins' needs—a bonus, so to speak, for helpfulness in the wn.r. Many accidents may prevent this before *lie thrashing is done. Bui just, now tho on I look is of the best."