The area in acres under cultivation for the year 1908 was 46,174,250, an increase of 265 per cent, on the land under cultivation in the year 1895.

The diagram facing this page shows the area in hectares cultivated from 1897 to 1908:—­

Wheat—­The area under cultivation for wheat shows an increase of 89 per cent, in ten years from—­

8,000,000 acres in cultivation in 1898, to 15,157,750 " " " " 1908

Linseed—­shows an increase of 361 per cent, from—­

831,972 acres in cultivation in 1898, to 3,835,750 " " " " 1908

Maize—­increased by 250 per cent., and other crops, including Oats, 300 per cent. in the same period.

The United Kingdom purchased from Argentina and retained for its own use (in round figures) during the year 1908—­

Wheat to the value of L13,000,000
maize " " 5,600,000
Frozen meat " " 9,300,000
                            -----------
          Making a total of L27,900,000
                            -----------

Indeed, we buy from Argentina nearly 25 per cent. of our total food purchased abroad, and she supplies nearly 29 per cent. of our corn and grain requirements.  These figures again clearly demonstrate that we have a vital interest in the well-being of our friends across the sea.

In every direction Argentina has progressed, and judging from the past we may look with confidence to the future; the total area of the Republic is 776,064,000 acres, and certainly it is within the bounds of reasonable forecast to consider that 100,000,000 acres of this land will be, when opened up by railways, and other facilities, available for corn-growing.  To-day only one-fifth of this available area is being cultivated, and another 43,000,000 acres are being utilised for feeding purposes; thus, only 63,000,000 out of 776,000,000 acres are being occupied.  The chief reason why more is not utilised is because there is not sufficient labour available.

Argentina                   has   5    inhabitants per square mile. 
Russia                       "   18         "             "
Canada, Newfoundland, etc.   "    1-1/2     "             "
Australia                    "    1-1/3     "             "
U. Kingdom                   "  364         "             "
Belgium                      "  625         "             "
Germany                      "  290         "             "

Not only is there an enormous tract of land lying dormant, but the productive power of land now under cultivation may be vastly increased if farmers will devote their attention to improving the conditions of cultivation. 11.3 bushels of wheat per acre is not high-class farming, yet this is the average production for Argentina.  Manitoba in 1908 produced 13-1/2 bushels per acre, Saskatchewan, 17 bushels.  In