Hir-298.'

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4 The following are some of the principal wheat-growing countries in the world, showing area under crop in 1914, and estimated yields, also Australia and New Zealand for comparison : — Area under Wheat. Estimated Yield. Acres. Bushels. United States ... ... ... 53,541,000 891,017,000 Russia.in Europe ... ... ... 62,316,000 597,000,000 British India ... ... ... ... 27,697,000 314,608,000 France ... ... ... ... ... 16,049,000 319,667,000 Canada ... ... ... ... 1.0,293,000 161,280,00(7 Australia ... ... ... ... 9,286,000 106,600,000 New Zealand ... ... ... ... 167,000 5,559,000 The average yield per acre in the United States for the past ten years was 14 - 7 bushels. The average yield per acre in Canada for four years up to and including 1912 was 1911 bushels, and for 1913 and 19.1.4 18-35 bushels. In oats the average yield per acre in the United States for ten years up to and including 1913 was 297 bushels; the average yield per acre in Canada for 1913 and 1914 was 3495 bushels. In barley the average yield per acre in the United States up to and including 1913 was 251 bushels; the average yield per acre in Canada for 1913 and 1914 was 27 - 08 bushels. About two-thirds of the wheat raised in the United States is winter wheat. In Canada, Manitoba raises spring wheat exclusively, whilst, Ontario and Alberta raise some of the wintervarieties. In both the United States and Canada hard glutinous varieties of wheat are in the ascendant, and are grown both as spring and winter wheats. The reasons given for the cultivation of these hard wheats are that they are best adapted to high prairie regions, having come from such a region in Russia, where they have long been established, and they give better yields than other wheats in such country and generally command a higher price. Hard wheats have also a higher protein-content, greater percentage of other nutritious constituents, and greater absorption of water by the flour than the starchy wheats. In New Zealand starchy wheats are mostly cultivated. In Canada it is found that for maritime provinces Huron and Marquis are the most suitable; for inland provinces, Marquis and Red Fife; and for dry areas, Red Fife. In central Canada the average time for wheat to mature is from 100 to 118 days. This short time is accounted for by the long hours of sunlight, which during the growing and ripening season average about fifteen hours per day. Wheat. —There is a great future before Canada in respect to wheat-production. She has vast territory yet to bring under cultivation, and there is no valid reason why she should not yet reach the premier position. Her national development is steadily progressing. The united efforts of farmers' societies and commercial interests are doing much towards agricultural development, backed by the Dominion and Provincial Governments. In comparing the United States with other nations of the world in producing and importing foodstuffs the Agricultural Outlook, published by the United States Department of Agriculture, says, "An investigation into the production, imports, and exports of food products of various countries indicates that England produces about 53 per cent, of her food requirements, and imports (net) about 47 per cent.; Belgium produces 57 per cent, and imports 43 per cent.; Germany produces 88 per cent, and imports 12 per cent.; France produces 92 per cent, and imports 8 per cent.; Austria-Hungarjr produces 98 per cent, and imports 2 per cent.; Russia produces about 110 per cent, of her requirements and exports an equivalent of about 10 per cent.; Canada produces 23 per cent, more than she consumes; Argentina produces 48 per cent, more than she consumes; the United States produces practically no more than she consumes — i.e., exports and imports of foodstuffs almost balance." Silos. Wherever one travels in the States or Canada these great capacious structures are to be seen in evidence at all farm steadings where modern, advanced, and economic methods of farming are practised. Silo-construction has undergone a great change since the first ones were built. All the early silos were built in the ground, while the modern silos are constructed almost entirely above the ground. Besides this, the first silos were comparatively shallow structures, which resulted in a large amount of spoiled silage on account of lack of sufficient pressure. Since about the year 1880 silos have increased rapidly in the United States, until they are now extensively used, especially in those regions devoted to the dairy industry. So useful have they become that many farmers consider them indispensable. Tractors. "You should look upon an idle horse in the stable or pasture just as you look-upon a herdman asleep in the hay-mow." This old saying came into my mind when visiting a farm in the States where a tractor had lately been introduced to displace horse-labour. All the horses had not been disposed of, however : they were kept to do odd jobs about the farm. The period of my visit was the off season, when there was little cultural work doing. The tractor was in a shed, spick and span, had been overhauled and cleaned, and was ready at a moment's notice to start operations again. In a paddock adjoining were two horses feeding. I drew the attention of the farmer to this, quoting the above proverb. He remarked that it was slowly but surely being realized in America that to keep a horse at the present price of horse-feed and labour