places. January 4. — The outlook for the new crops was generally favourable. Jan. 4. — 

 It was reported that the Government had commandeered all the wheat and maize; 

 that, moreover, an arrangement had been made for the better supply of steamers to 

 bring necessary supplies of wheat, coal, and provisions. The report of February 1st, 

 although generally favourable, complained that the southern districts lacked rain. 



February 24. — Official report stated the crop outlook was satisfactory with the 

 weather seasonable. March 14. — Crop outlook fair; reserves light. 



Egypt and North Africa — Reports from the beginning indicated wheat had been 

 sown under favourable conditions, subsequently the germination had been good and 

 young plants healthy. February 24. — Rains had fallen and crops benefited. 



Russia — The conditions of winter sowing were reported extremely favourable. 

 Out of 64 provinces the sowings in 12 were satisfactory and in 52 above average in 

 various degrees. December 19. — Broomhall's correspondent stated that up to that 

 time the fields in many regions had not possessed a good blanket of snow, but that the 

 winter sowings had gone under snow in a healthy condition. Various reports mention a 

 decrease in the area under winter grain, but the position of the new crop was reported 

 as quite satisfactory. According to Broomhall's Corn Trade News for Feb. 15th a 

 report just received from Petrograd confirms that in some parts there has been a sharp 

 decrease in the land put under winter cereals. The causes of the decrease are given as 

 scarcity of labour and scarcity of horses, whilst in some parts war conditions are directly 

 responsible for the smaller sowings. It is thought that the area under spring crops in 

 the south and south-east of Russia will also show a large decrease. In January there 

 were complaints that the millers found it difficult to obtain supplies owing chiefly to 

 railway waggons and scarcity of bags. Jan. 11. — There was severe frost reported in 

 the centre and north; in the south rain and snow alternated. February 8. — Conditions 

 generally favourable although in the south in parts where there was no snow covering there 

 were fears of damage from late frosts. Supplies appeared to be about fair. February 

 24. — Snow covering reported thin and parts of territory very cold. Officials believe 

 that crops are all right. Private reports are unfavourable. Officials confirm 20% 

 decrease in acreage. 



Germany and Austria-Hungary — Crop conditions were from the beginning 

 reported to be generally favourable. At the end of December frequent food riots were 

 reported in Germany. February 10. — Hungary was issuing bread tickets giving the 

 right to one-half pound daily for each person. Potatoes arriving in Berlin showed 

 much damage from frost. Jan. 4. — It was reported that 50,000 railway waggons of 

 Rumanian wheat were bought by Germany at 161,000,000 francs; 39,000,000 francs of 

 export duty had to be paid, 13^ millions of it in gold. Much dissatisfaction was 

 expressed by the Germans at these conditions. Jan. 18. — Crop conditions in Germany 

 were reported as generally favourable, but heavy rains did some damage. The official 

 Census Report was that there were sufficient supplies of breadstuffs until the new crops, 

 but later the supplies turned out not to be as big as expected, therefore the bread ration 

 had to be reduced, and instructions given that no more low-class rye meal must be used 

 for the pigs. 



February 1. — There were complaints at the slow marketing of the crops, and the 

 Government provided for a gradual increase in the maximum prices of products to induce 

 free sales. The marketing of potatoes was especially slow; although the poorer 

 qualities for cattle were more freely offered, the better qualities were held back in the 

 hope that a higher maximum price would be fixed. In February the weather was 

 reported moderately colder with some slight frosts. There were some complaints of 

 floods which, however, were not excessive. The statement that there was no scarcity 

 of cattle foods is very much doubted. February 24. — Weather was reported moderately 

 mild with occasional rain. No complaints heard from crops. Reports from Hungary, 

 same date, indicated weather and crop news were favourable. 



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