§ 106. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture what instructions were given to his agents in assessing the yield of ware potatoes; and why he based his estimate for this year's crop at about 7 tons per acre.
§ Mr. G. BrownEstimates of the yield of the potato crop in England and Wales294W are made by my Department on the basis of reports received at intervals beginning on 1st September from about 300 local crop reporters, who are instructed to forward the best possible estimates indicated by current crop prospects. The figure quoted by the hon. Member is the 10 year annual average yield, which is 7.1 tons per acre. This figure has never been given as an official forecast of this year's crop.