467. In these circumstances, it is perhaps not surprising that, for some years prior to the present emergency, agriculture in Newfoundland showed a downward rather than an upward trend. The following official figures give the particulars of the agricultural production for the years 1921 and 1932:--

  468. The area of the Island is 27,000,000 acres, of which one-eighth may be regarded as water. The area under crops (including vegetable and root crops) was estimated in 1932 at 105,000 acres, as against 95,000 acres in the previous year and 89,000 acres in 1921.

  469. During the last two years great efforts have been made by the Government to impress the people with the necessity for doing all in their power to supplement their resources by the raising of vegetables. Although there are certain stretches of coast line, notably on the western portion of the south coast, where soil suitable for cultivation exists only in small and sometimes inaccessible patches, it may be said, in general, that ample land is available for the fisherman's needs. In some cases the neglect of the land has been carried to such lengths that hard work is needed to bring it back to cultivation; shortage of tools, and lack of even a rudimentary knowledge of how crops should be grown, also create difficulties. But, in spite of these drawbacks, it can be said with confidence that, given the will to do so, there is no reason why, their own efforts to provide for themselves with a sufficient stock of vegetables to last them through the winter. With supplies of home-grown vegetables, fish from sea, river and lake, game in the woods, and the wild fruit which the country yields in abundance, with fuel ready to hand, and with no rent and no direct taxation, even the humblest family in Newfoundland possesses natural advantages which are denied to the poorer classes in the cities of Europe and America.

  470. It has been proved, indeed, by the more provident and energetic members of the community, that much can be done with the garden and small farm to supplement returns from the fishery. Given care and proper cultivation, vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, beet, carrots and parsnips, and fruits such as apples, plums, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries and currants can be produced in most parts of the Island, while oats can be successfully grown for reaping prior to maturity as food for cattle. In parts of the southern portion of west coast, principally in the Codroy Valley, good results have been obtained in the growing both of fruit and also of Timothy hay.

Brigus, n.d. Photo by Holloway. From the album of photographs furnished to the Newfoundland Royal Commission, August 1933. Courtesy of the Centre for Newfoundland Studies Archives (Coll-207), Memorial University of Newfoundland Library, St. John's, Newfoundland. (69 kb)

  471. In 1932 the potato crop was unfortunately ruined by blight, a visitation which brought distress to many homes in the Island, but this year the prospects are good. The Government at the beginning of the season distributed large quantities of seed potatoes to necessitous areas, either for cash or on loan; there was a great increase in planting and a good crop will do much to ease the situation during the coming winter. It is to be hoped also that the distress through which the people are passing in many parts of the Island will encourage cultivation, not at the eleventh hour and in the stress of emergency, but as a permanent habit.

  472. Imports of agricultural products during the last three years have been as follows:--

  Whatever may be said about the production of cereals in Newfoundland, there can be no question that the Island is capable of meeting its own requirements in potatoes and other vegetables.

Image description updated May, 2004.