THE VICTORIAN HARVEST.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 165, 6 April 1871, Page 6

THE VICTORIAN HARVEST.

The" Australasian " of March llt'i reports as follows : — As tircs'iin ; progresses and actual results are obtainable, we do not find a material improvement, in the tone of our harvest reports. By a Stocky si rJ-hill correspondent we are informed that the harvest thereabouts is turning out better than previously reported, and he is inclined to estimate the yield of both wheat and oats considerably higher than stated iv previous reports ; hot 1 ' are said to be yielding naarer 20 bushels than 12. T.iis, however, is the only favourable correction we have received, and against it must be set several of an opposite character ; the estimates based on an inspection of the growing crops have in many cases not been confirmed by the threshing. Iv treating of the harvest just gathered, it is necessary to remember t iat the previous one was the best the colony has experienced. Iv using it, therefore, as a standard of comparison, thi3 fact should not be lost sight of. When we hear from such a district as tiie G-oulbourn that the average yield of wheat will be ei/ht bushels,' and that that is only a little more than a fourth of last year's average, we find a clue to the desponding tons that characterises numbers of reports in which the average stated would at another time have been regarded as fairly satisfactory. From the Birrabools this week, our correspondent's reports are not much better t.ian those that have preceeded them. Tie average yield uf wheat is estimated at fro in 10 to 12 bushels, the quality rather better than, might have been expected, considering tbe prevalence of rust. Of oats, very few were saved ; the greater part was cut for hay, in order to avoid the total loss threatened by rust and caterpilier; the quality, too, is inferior, but t.lO acreable yield will range between 15 and 20 bushels, the best crops only being left to ripen. The lowness of the prices of farm produce is indicative of an impression that the aggregate yield will more than meet the demind. T ius prices aro as low as they would have bden had the crop proved heavy enough to have left a large surplus for export.