The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1908 THE WORLD'S WHEAT HARVEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2096, 23 January 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1908 THE WORLD'S WHEAT HARVEST.

In discussing the price of bread last week, we. expressed the opinion that- it would be some considerable time before tho thrifty housewife could again hope to purchase a cheap loaf. It was then pointed out that the Dominion harvest was, not likely to show more than the barest surplus over the actual requirements of our population, and that prices -would accordingly be regulaced by those of the London market. Under the circumstances it is interesting to note Hie m for Ul2~ye:ir. To begin with,

the requirements- of all the countries in the world which are compelled to import wheat are expected to amount to 73,500.000 quarters for the present season; whereas the amount that is likely to represent the surplus* of those countries which grow wheat for export does not exceed 58,875,000 quarters. This -is tlio estimate of the well-known -authority ‘‘JLJeerhohm,” who adds to the figures mentioned; that after having regularly compiled theso figures for the past 25 years, he has never known the position to be so strong from the point of view of wheatgrowers as it appears to be this season. The tables quoted by this authority contain a quantity of very interesting material. They show that the demand for wheat is increasing each year, whilst the -production is decreasing. Thus actual imports for the last three seasons into the importing countries were: —1904-5, 00,505,000 quarters; 19050, 71,940,000 quarters; 1900-7, 68,800,000 quarters; and! for the present season it is estimated that 73,000,000 quarters will be needed. Of this quantity the United Kingdom will require 27,000,000 quarters and Germany 12,000,000 quarters. The exports for 1905-6 totalled 69,350,000 quarters; for 1906-7, 65,400,000 quarters; and lor the present season it is estimated that only 58,875,000 quarters will bo forthcoming. Tho principal exporting countries are the United States, which shipped LSI million quarters of wheat last season, and the (Argentine, which sent 13,750,000 quarters abroad. Russia shipped 11,750.000 quarters, Canada. 5,000,000, Australia 4,000,000, and India 4,000,000, whilst the countries in the vicinity of the Danube River contributed 9,000,000. Summarised, the position shows that this season there is likely to be a huge shortage, totalling no less than 15,000,000 quarters in regard to the world’s requirements of wheat. ft certainly seems that science must bo called in to assist producers- in increasing the crons, if the world is to continue to look upon bread as “the stall ol life,” and the discoveries of the Norwegians who are at present making use of waterfalls for the generation of electricity to extract nitrogen from the air and thus furnish- a cheap fertiliser, will not have come too soon.