1909.] Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad. 773 



in some other parts of England. In Scotland E., and England N.E., there 

 was a slight, and in England N.W. a more decided, excess. 



In the second week, the weather was very changeable. The temperature 

 was above the average in all parts, and the rainfall also exceeded the average 

 in all districts except Scotland E., the excess being rather large in several 

 parts of the kingdom, viz., Scotland N., England E., S.E., and S.W. Bright 

 sunshine was more than the average, except in England E., and the English 

 Channel. 



In the third week, the weather was in an unsettled condition very generally, 

 most regions experiencing a large amount of cloud, and rain on at least five 

 or six days. Temperature exceeded the average, and was reported as 

 " unusual " in all parts of England. Rainfall was above the average over 

 the greater part of England, and in Scotland W., but less in England N.E., 

 and the north and east of Scotland. Bright sunshine exceeded the average in 

 Scotland, but was less than the normal in England. 



In the fourth week, ending on the 26th December, the weather, although 

 generally dull, was not often rainy, except on the extreme west and north-east 

 coasts of Ireland and Scotland, and even in these districts the rain was not often 

 heavy. Temperature continued above the average until late in the week, 

 when it underwent a sudden fall and became low. Rainfall exceeded the 

 average in Scotland N., but was less elsewhere, the deficit being large over 

 England. Bright sunshine was below the average, except in Scotland N., and 

 England N.W. The percentage of the possible duration ranged from 20 in 

 the last-named district to less than 10 in nearly all parts of the kingdom. In 

 Scotland W., only 1 per cent, was recorded, while in England E. the week 

 was sunless. 



Germany. — According to returns issued by the 

 Imperial Statistical Bureau (Reichsanzeiger, 17th 

 December, 1908), the area and yield of crops in 

 Germany in 1907 and 1908 were as follows : — 





1908. 



1907. 



Acres. 



Tons. 



Acres. 



Tons. 



Wheat 



4,654,962 



3,767,767 



4,314,564 



3,479,324 



Rye 



15,116,235 



10,736,874 



14,925,173 



9,757,859 



Barley ... 



4,023,548 



3,o59,B85 



4,203,216 



3,497,745 



Oats 



10,560,003 



7,694,833 



10,811,474 



9,H9,i38 



Potatoes 



8,132,838 



46,342,726 



8,144,783 



45,538,299 



Russia. — The Board have received through the Foreign Office a despatch, 

 dated 30th November, 1908, from Mr. Cooke, British Commercial Agent in 

 Russia, giving the returns issued by the Central Statistical Committee of the 

 grain harvest of 1908. These estimate the yield of winter wheat at 

 78,986,000 cwt., as against 86,471,000 cwt. in 1907, and of winter rye at 

 383,252,000 cwt., as compared with 392,576,000 cwt. in the earlier year. 

 The winter grain yield is 11 per cent, below the average of the last five years, 

 and is described as "nearly average." The Novaia Russ, in commenting on 

 these figures, observes that the last five years have been marked by grievous 

 crop failures, either partial or general, and the average, therefore, is extremely 

 low. 



Notes on Crop 

 Prospects Abroad. 



