AGRICULTURE IN NORWAY. 225 



The sea on the western coast of Finmark is never 

 frozen, because it is under the influence of the Gulf 

 Stream, which keeps it at a moderate temperature 

 throughout the most severe winters. The Baltic is 

 frozen in winter, because its waters are shallow, and 

 many large rivers flow into it, thereby lowering the 

 temperature. The Christian ia-fjord is never frozen, 

 except near the town itself, because its waters are 

 deep ; and the rivers which run into it are small and 

 unimportant. The rivers of Norway are always frozen 

 in winter. 



The climate of Christiania is pleasant throughout 

 the year; its temperature is equable; and, although 

 the cold in winter is severe, it is not disagreeably so, 

 on account of the dry ness of the air. 



Agriculture is rather in a primitive condition here, 

 and the bonde, or peasant farmer, does the best he can 

 with his few acres, which yield a scanty subsistence for 

 himself and family. Very little wheat is grown in this 

 country; it is generally imported from Spain, Ger- 

 many, and Russia. Barley and rye, as well as oats, 

 are extensively produced. Vegetation is very rapid 

 here, for the days are so long, and the nights are so 

 short, in these northern latitudes, that nature is always 

 making progress. It is said that barley will grow 

 two-and-a-half inches in the course of twenty-four 

 hours in the extreme north of Norway. It is planted 

 and harvested in the short space of ten weeks. In 

 Finmark, however, the crops often do not ripen 

 at all. 



The climate of this country has a peculiar effect on 

 all flowering plants. The flowers are brighter in co- 

 lour, and the scent is much more powerful than in 



Q 



