THE HARVEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3058, 20 February 1892, Page 3

THE HARVEST.

The area of wheat (says the Lyttslton Times) is likely to be quite as large as in the year 1883, when the maximum export of 5,195,703 bushels was reached. That was not the greatest export of grain of all kinds, and 1890 " broke the record," with nearly 8,000,000 bushels. But of this total only 4,899,069 bushels were wheat, and prices ruled so low that the valuation for all grains was only £1,074,354, as compared with £1,286,724 for the smaller quantity exported in 18S3. Moreover, the figures for 1890 do not represent the harvest yield for that year, which was comparatively small, but include large quantities held over from the two previous years, when prices were so poor that it did not pay to export. This year, judging from what has been ascertained of the crops already reaped, the yield will be considerably greater than in 1883, though the area sown is about the same, and though there are no stocks held over from last year, it is confidently expected that the export from Canterbury will be the greatest on record. From Southland exchanges we get even more flourishing accounts. There the railways will have great difficulty iu coping with the harvest, which is twice as great as in any previous year. Probably we shall not be far out if we estimate the export of wheat at over 7,000,000 bushels, and with ruling prices in Europe, this should net to the farmers ovei 4s a bushel. Had it not been for the unprecedented harvest in the United States last year, there would have been a veritable wheat famine in other part 3 of Europe, as well as in Russia. At it is, the '* visibU supply " is less than for ten years past and by the time our wheat reaches Eng land, the American supply will have beei pretty well exhausted, and prices are likelj to bo considerably higher than now. It i not a very sanguine estimate if we pu down the probable receipts by our farmer for wheat alone at .21,750,000, and the tota grain export at over £2,800,000, or jus about double the totals tor 1890, and ove three times as much as last year. This wil give an immense impetus to tha farmers ii the South. For years past they have beei growing grain at the barest of profits, an; and some years at an actual loss. This i really the first year since 1883 when ther has been a bright streak in the grain growers' outlook. Now, thanks to a cei tain bountiful harvest and to a prospect o high prices, the outlook is brighter than i: any year in the colony's history.