of his efforts. A comparison between the social and economic conditions of agriculture in the two countries inclines us to conclude, without prejudice, that Russia cannot be considered a dangerous rival to the Argentine or the markets of the world.
The Republic of the United States of America is incontestably the first wheat-growing country in the whole world; and it is interesting to consider whether this country, which is also the greatest exporter of wheat, will remain in the future, in spite of the growth of internal consumption, a formidable rival to the Argentine in the markets of the world.
Let us first of all consider what great progress there has already been in the production of wheat in the United States.
| Year. | Population. | Production. | Proportion Exported. |
| (in Millions of Bushels.) | Per cent. | ||
| 1877 | 46,353,000 | 280 | 25·6 |
| 1882 | 52,495,000 | 373 | 31·8 |
| 1886 | 57,404,000 | 346 | 26·5 |
| 1891 | 63,844,000 | 386 | 26·6 |
| 1894 | 67,692,000 | 383 | 41·5 |
| 1897 | 71,592,000 | 414 | 33·9 |
| 1901 | 77,647,000 | 506 | 41·36 |
| 1904 | — | 533 | — |
| 1905 | — | 645 | — |
| 1906 | 84,216,433 | 669 | 26·6 |
| 1907 | — | 621 | 24·1 |
In the United States the area under wheat has considerably increased, but the yield per acre has steadily decreased. Thus we find that in 1875 the yield was 12·3 bushels per acre; 17 bushels per acre in 1879; 11·7 in 1883; 14·9 in 1892; 13·4 in 1899; 10·5 in 1902; 10 in 1903; and 13·6 in 1904. Thus in spite of the increased yield, the results per acre have not increased, and the average of 1904 is inferior to that of 1879; while in France the average yield has been one of 20 bushels per acre from 1900 to 1904.
The national census of the United States for 1900 contains a graphic chart, which represents the average yield; from which we find that only in the north-west, certain districts of the west, and in a portion of the States of Washington, Oregon, and California has the production equalled this
maximum of 20 bushels per acre; in most other localities, which afford the vast majority of cases, the yield has varied between 8·5 and 15·6 gallons per acre.
Having glanced at the production of the United States, we must inquire whether this great nation is increasing its exportation of wheat proportionately, and how far such exportation may prove an obstacle to the development of the Argentine.
The following figures representing the years of the largest export of wheat, will throw light upon this matter.
| Years. | Wheat Exported. | Price. |
| (Millions of bushels.) | (Per Bushel on the Dock.) | |
| 1879 | 145 | 5s. 51⁄2d. |
| 1892 | 218 | 5s. 3d. |
| 1898 | 210 | 5s. 0d. |
| 1899 | 214 | 3s. 104⁄5d. |
| 1901 | 209 | 3s. 83⁄4d. |
| 1902 | 227 | 3s. 111⁄4d. |