1909.] Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad. 



945 



The month of February wa^ marked by an unusual absence of rain during 

 the greater part of the four weeks. During the first week, indeed, the rainfall 



exceeded the normal in Scotland and the northern 

 Notes Oil the Weather districts of England, but over the greater part of 

 in February. England it was very slight. The temperature was 



above the average, although the amount of bright 

 sunshine differed little from what is usual at this time of year. During 

 the second week the rainfall was less than the normal in all parts of 

 Great Britain, but in most places the deficiency was slight. Bright sun- 

 shine was in excess in the south (England S.E. " abundant," S.W. "very 

 abundant "), but in the north it was otherwise (Midlands " scanty," England 

 N.E. " very scanty "). The temperature was below normal on the whole, 

 and snow fell in places. In the third week the weather throughout Great 

 Britain was, as a whole, exceedingly fine and bright. Rainfall was less than 

 the average in all districts, and at many stations in central England and else- 

 where the week was rainless. Warmth was " deficient " throughout England, 

 but sunshine was " abundant " or " very abundant " in each district of Great 

 Britain. 



During the fourth week the sunshine was again above the average, though 

 the warmth was for the most part "deficient." Rainfall was below the average 

 again, and a marked deficiency was recorded nearly everywhere throughout the 

 United Kingdom. Rainy days had been fewer in Great Britain and the actual 

 rainfall less everywhere. In England S.W. the total fall for the winter was 

 nearly 4! inches less than usual, and in several other places it was more than 

 2 inches short. At the same time the accumulated day degrees above 42 0 were 

 deficient, while in several parts of England^ more degrees below 42 0 were 

 recorded. 



The reports received from the Board's correspondents all speak of the 

 drought. From Kent it is stated that on the whole the weather was excellent 

 for farm work till the snow came. Ploughing well forward ; some barley, pea?, 

 and beans sown, but now stopped. The weather was good for the Iambs till 

 the frost came. Reports as to the fruit farms are good ; fruit buds are plentiful 

 and well kept back. Vegetables have suffered. In Berkshire it is said that 

 the weather has not been bad for outdoor work, which is now in a favourable 

 position. Lambing apparently very successful. No sowing done as yet in the 

 locality of the writer. Green stuff looking bad from frost. 



France. — The official report on the winter-sown crops was published in 

 the Journal Officiel for February 7th. The figures showing the area of 

 Notes On Grot) wheat, mixed corn, rye, oats, and barley, together 



« -l j with an indication of their condition in January, 

 Prospect? Abroad. are given separate i y f or e ach Department. The 



total area under wheat is given as 15,932,000 acres, or an increase of 476,000 

 acres compared with the estimated area returned as sown in January, 1908. 

 The other crops also show increases in each case. The condition is generally 

 stated to be "good," but "very good" is recorded for a few Departments. 



Australia. — Dornbusch's Evening List (March 1st) publishes estimated 

 figures showing how the wheat crop for 1908 compares with that of the previous 

 year : — 



1908 1907 



Bushels. Bushels. 



New South Wales 15,731,000 9,156,000 



Victoria 24,164,000 12,100,000 



South Australia 19,980,000 19,098,000 



West Australia 2,854,000 2,926,000 



Queensland and Tasmania 1,750,000 1,700,000 



te : - ^ p 



