700 



Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad. [dec, 



that harvesting in the Northern Caucasus took place in fine weather, and threshing 

 operations were carried out under favourable circumstances. The colour and natural 

 weight of the crops were good, but the yield was below the average. Azima wheat did 

 better in the Kuban district than elsewhere, and gave an average of 32 bushels (of 

 50 lb.) per acre. In the Government of Stavropol and the Province of Ter the 

 results of the winter wheat crops were very bad, only averaging about 470 lb. to the 

 acre, quality and colour being good. Only an insignificant quantity is likely to be 

 exported, as the mills in the interior are buying heavily and paying more than is 

 obtainable in the European markets. As regards hard wheat, the average result is 

 good, with an expected yield of 1,330 lb. per acre. In Trans-Caucasus damage was 

 done in some districts by floods. Wheat and barley in the Province of Kars and 

 adjacent districts have yielded fairly satisfactory results. 



The new maize crop in Northern Caucasus is promising, and the yield is likely to 

 be above the average. It is expected that shipments of this year's crop will be made 

 as early as December, instead of in March as usual. In the Western Governments 

 of Trans-Caucasia the maize crop has not been very encouraging ; the yield is above 

 the average in the plains, but very much below the average in the mountain districts. 



Mi. H. P. Smith, H.M. Consul at Kieff, writing on 21st November, states that, 

 according to the figures available, the shortage of grain in 1908 in European Russia is 

 1 > 1 93>54& tons less than in 1907 and 3,451,613 tons under the average for the five 

 years 1902-6. The shortage in the grain crop of Russia in 1908 has seriously 

 affected the most assured grain district of the country — the south-western — comprising 

 the Governments of Kieff , Podolia and Volhynia, where the decrease equals 1,681,241 

 tons, or 48*7 per cent, of the total shortage already mentioned, when compared with 

 the average yield for the five years 1902-6. 



The general trade of Southern Russia is in a very depressed condition owing to the 

 poor harvests of 1907 and 1908, for agriculture is still the fundamental interest of the 

 district. While there is no fear of the peasantry suffering from famine, or even of the 

 necessity to take extraordinary relief measures, it may be taken for granted that both 

 wheat and rye will have to be supplied to them as seed for the coming season. In 

 fact, rye is being brought in to supply the shortage of crops. There will be neither 

 wheat nor rye available for export from this district, and grave doubts are entertained 

 as to there being a supply of wheat equal to the milling requirements. 



Finland. — According to a note on the official returns, furnished by Mr. C. J. 

 Cooke, H.M. Consul at Helsingfors, the rye crop was good, barley and oats gave 

 average crops, while wheat, which is but little grown, gave a fairly good crop. 



Roumania. — According to official statistics published by the Roumanian Ministry 

 of Agriculture (16th November), the estimated yield of crops in Roumania during 

 1908 is as follows : — 



1908. 1907. 1906. 



Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. 



Wheat ... ... ... 53,100,000 40,900,000 110,300,000 



Rye 2,600,000 2,500,000 8,600,000 



Barley ... ... 12,500,000 19,400,000 32,200,000 



Oats 16,700,000 17,300,000 25,400,000 



The quality of the wheat is said to be generally satisfactory, and the weight per 

 bushel is given as 62*7 lb. per bushel, which is just about the average of the past five 

 years. 



Hungary. — The official report on the crops in the middle of November was 

 decidedly unfavourable. All agricultural work was backward, and the area of the 

 winter sowings was likely to be smaller, especially in the higher districts. 



Canada. — The Report 01 the Canadian Census and Statistics Office for November 

 states that an attempt was made to ascertain the extent of the increase or 

 decrease in the area sown this year for next year's crop of autumn wheat, last year's 

 crop being represented by 100. According to the replies received it would appear 



