50 



V. THE CROPS 



The climate of Belgium is typical of the climate of the 

 temperate countries of Europe; it shows some very impor- 

 tant variations. The average temperature of the low 

 lands ol Belgium up to the Meuse is 10 degrees (Cen- 

 tigrade); but in Condroz and Ardennes, on the high table- 

 lands (4oo to 600 metres) the thermometer marks a tempe- 

 rature of three degrees lower than that existing in the 

 plains of Brabant and Flanders. The average extremes 

 of cold and heat in the year in the centre of the country 

 are represented respectively by a minimum of 15 degrees 

 Centigrade (below zero) and a maximum, of + 3o degrees 

 Centigrade, that is an average difference of 4$ degrees. 



In Belgium it rains on about 192 days a year. The 

 annual rainfall is 726 millimetres. It snows on 25 days a 

 year, representing a fall of water of 55 millimetres. 

 But from the month of May to September there are only 

 3 or 4 days when it hails. There are 65 foggy days 

 mostly in winter time. There are 20 or 25 days when it 

 thunders. 



The geological constitution of Belgian soil is still more 

 varied than the climate. 



The Belgian soil can be divided into nine geological 

 regions ; there are special systems of cultivation in each 

 one of these regions. 



The geological formations grow older as we leave the 

 sea coast towards the interior of the country : these 



