i9o8.] 



Crop Prospects Abroad. 



377 



The most promising of the cereal crops at present is wheat, as, although an under- 

 average crop is indicated in the midland and northern counties and in Wales, an 

 over-average crop is suggested in the north-western counties and Scotland, while in 

 r,ther parts of England it is about an average. Barley is placed below the average 

 jn the greater part of England and in Wales, but an average crop may perhaps be 

 obtained in the north of England and in Scotland. Oats are also mostly below 

 .-verage in England and Wales, but an average crop is anticipated in the West of 

 Scotland. 



Potatoes and roots are very promising, and both may be expected, on present 

 prospects, to give over-average results. 



The yield of hay in England and Wales exceeds the average, and has generally- 

 been secured early under exceptionally favourable conditions, and at much less 

 expense than last year. In Scotland the crop is under average, the clovers having 

 failed in many counties. 



As regards fruit, strawberries were an abundant crop generally. Bush fruit is 

 reported as only fairly good, while not more than a moderate yield of plums and 

 apples is anticipated. 



Hops are reported as looking well ; and as a rule to be so far free from vermin. 



Labour is generally plentiful, the good weather for haymaking not having made a 

 very large demand for hands. In some districts, however, the supply is said to be 

 insufficient. 



Summarising the reports, and representing an average crop by ioo, the appearance 

 of the crop in mid-July indicates yields for Great Britain which may be represented 

 by the following percentages : — Wheat, ioo ; barley, 97 ; oats, 96 ; potatoes, 103 ; 

 loots, 102 ; hay, 103. 



Wheat Crop of the World. — A preliminary estimate of the wheat crop of the world, 

 which appears in " Beerbohm's Corn Trade List "of 31st July, puts the total yield 

 at 400,000,000 qrs. of 480 lb., compared with 



Notes on Crop 393> 22 5> 00 ° q rs - last y ear > and 406,000,000 qrs. in the 



six years 1902-07. 



PrOSpeCtS Abroad. Germany.— According to the official report on the 



state of the crops in the middle of Jul) 7 , the weather in 

 Germany during the previous month was generally dry, but shortly before the date of 

 the report heavy down-pours of rain and hailstorms occurred in many districts 

 and did some damage. The average condition of all the crops, except winter spelt 

 and potatoes, was somewhat less favourable than in June. The reports on the 

 condition of winter grain crops, however, were on the whole not unfavourable, and 

 the harvest prospects are quite satisfactory. The prospects for the spring grain crops 

 are somewhat less favourable, though still satisfactory. Owing to the dryness these 

 crops, and especially barley and oats, have not grown well, and are consequently short 

 in the straw and light in the ear. 



As regards potatoes, reports from different districts vary considerably. It was 

 variously stated that the crop had come up irregularly with blanks, that the growth 

 had suffered from the drought, and that cultivation of the crop had been rendered 

 difficult owing to the hardness of rhe ground and the abundant weeds. Other reports, 

 however, stated that potatoes in general were pretty good, or that the recent rains 

 had already had a good effect on the growth. A thoroughly good growth, however, 

 is only reported from Bavaria. 



The arithmetical condition of the various crops was as follows : — Winter wheat, 2' 3 ; 

 spring wheat, 2'6 ; winter rye, 2*4; spring rye, 2*5; barley, 2 - 6; oats, 2*8; and 

 potatoes, 27. The average condition in July during the past fifteen years, 1 893-1907, 

 has been as follows : — Winter wheat, 2*5 ; spring wheat, 2*6 ; winter rye, spring rye 

 and barley, 2*5 ; oats, 27 ; and potatoes, 2'5 (1 = very good, 2 = good, 3 = medium 

 (average), 4 = small). 



