FAILURE OF AUSTRALIAN CROPS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 437, 15 January 1890, Page 3

FAILURE OF AUSTRALIAN CROPS.

Not only does New Zealand possess a grand pre-eminence for the fecundity of her soil and cbmate, as shown by the high average yields of grain and other crops, but .it would also seem that she enjoys social immunity from natural shocks, accidents and plagues which interfere materially with the success of the Australian farmer. It is stated in a Melbourne cablegram that an average of four bushels of wheat to the acre has been destroyed by red rust. This means a very serious failure of the wheat crop of Victoria. By previous advices in Melbourne papers we learn that a grave loss was anticipated, but ten days ago it was not expected to average more than three bushels per acre under the estimated yield. In the early part of the season the Victorian wheat prospects were splendid, and there being a much larger acreage than usual under that cereal, a prosperous and abundant harvest was anticipated. At the lowest estimate there were a million acres under wheat in Victoria this season, and assuming that there will be a loss of four bushels per acre, at 3s per bushel, the money value lost will be an enormous sum. This is a serious drawback, even to a prosperous colony like Victoria, and in Melbourne the ravages of red rust are looked upon as nothing short of a national calamity.

In New South Wales, there were also hopes of an abundant wheat harvest, but there also red rust has appeared, and is working sad ravages. The average wheat yield iii that colony is 13 TS bushels per acre, but. the crop this year was expected to average 18 bushels—one district being estimated to go as high as 50 bushels to the acre. Although the rust has not proved so destructive in that colony as in Victoria, there can be no doubt that it will materially affect these calculations ; but even making every allowance, the yield is likely to be greater than last year’s, which, on account of drought, was only 5T bushels per. acre. There has been so far no foreboding of failure with regard to the harvest in South Australia - the largest wheat-producer of all the colonies; bub from Queensland we have news of most destructive floods which have already sent flour up to £IOO per bon, and which cannot fail to affect the growing crops, as railways are reported to be nine feet under water. It was heavy rain in December that brought on the attack of red rust in Victoria, and wet weather now, or even later on, may ruin the promising crops in the other colonies. It is to be hoped that our Australian neighbours may nob this year have a repetition of their last year’s sad experience ; but in the event of even partial failure they are now fully aware that Now Zealand has a constant surplus of wheat for export. This consideration is naturally causing a number of Australian farmers to transfer their operations to this colony, and in more ways than one we Maorilanders are in the position of profiting by the misfortunes of others.