HARVE-T PROSPECTS.

Southland Times, Issue 1978, 20 December 1872, Page 3

HARVE-T PROSPECTS.

♦ The harvest in Great Britain has been a failure ; in France and Spain it has been unusually abundant ; in Northern Europe it has been deficient ; and throughout America, but more particularly in California, it has been Tery considerably above the average. England will have to import, instead of the 8,000,000 or 9,000,000 quarters, which on an average has satisfied her yearly wants, at the very least 15,000,000 quarters, when the failure of the potato crop is also taken into account. Latest information from Australia, and Adelaide in particular, is somewhat indefinite, almost contradictory. At least three estimates of the probable yield in South Australia have been given — 20, J5, and 12 bushels to the acre. The first of these may be at once act down as too sanguine, the second as possible but not probable, and the third as a high average. The area under crop is said to be about 800,000 acres, and taking the lowest estimate — which we do not think will be exceeded, and may not be reached — this would give a gross yield of 9,500,000 bushels, or say 10,000,000 in round numbers. If, however, the locusts are making such ravages as latest telegrams report, the yield will in all probability be much reduced. Still, the weight of information points to a larger surplus for export than South Australia has ever had before, and the question arises — what effect will this have on the Australasian market ? The Victorian papers, as usual, are quite certain that the yield in that colony will be equal to its requirements, but we have learned by experience what allowance to make on Victorian estimates. Even though Victoria should not require a single bushel from South Australia, the latter will find a good market for all she can export to England, and her heavy surplus will not have a depressing effect on the Australasian market. Canterbury may yield a million and a half, or two million bushels, or more, but there is no reason to fear that low prices will rule from over-abundance. We shall have the home market to ourselves, and England will abiorb all that the Australasian colonies can spare. — Lyttelfcon Times.