4i 8 Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad [aug., 



pected. The condition of summer grain has much improved, and 

 notwithstanding some unfavourable reports, it is considered that a good 

 or fairly good crop may be looked for. Potatoes have continued to 

 develop satisfactorily everywhere, but are beginning in many places 

 to suffer from the wet weather. 



Hungary. — The Report of the Ministry of Agriculture on the crops 

 in the middle of July estimates the yield of the four principal cereals 

 at a somewhat higher figure than in the earlier reports. Rye and 

 barley have suffered in quality. Barley promised to give a large 

 yield, but it now gives rise to many complaints. Rye is likely to be 

 satisfactory, but wheat will barely reach an average crop. Oats are 

 likely to give a good, and in places a very good, yield. 



Russia. — According to a despatch received from Mr. H. Cooke, 

 Commercial Attache at St. Petersburg, the official Commercial and 

 Industrial Gazette of June 27th/July loth, states that the condition of 

 the winter wheat crop is in general above the average, a great im- 

 provement having taken place during the last month. Spring crops 

 have improved even more, and are above the average, even approach- 

 ing good. Spring wheat is above the average, and good over a con- 

 siderable zone and satisfactory elsewhere. It is unsatisfactory as yet 

 sporadically over small separate areas in different localities. The con- 

 dition of oats is similar but better, being in general near 1 ' good." 

 Barley in general is above the average, and in the south in places 

 excellent. 



A despatch from Mr. H. Paton Smith, British Consul at Kieff, 

 states that on ist/i4th June winter grain was somewhat above the 

 average in the Kieff and Podol and Volhynia Governments, but 

 spring grain was less satisfactory, in Volhynia the sowing being in 

 places not yet finished. In the case of hops, plantations in the 

 sheltered parts of Western Volhynia look better, but worse in Eastern 

 Volhynia, especially in exposed districts. In general a good crop 

 cannot be expected this year. 



The British Vice-Consul at Rostov-on-Don (Mr. E. B. St. Clair), 

 reported that in the middle of June both winter and spring cereals in 

 the North Caucasus were in a satisfactory condition, and promised a 

 fair yield. In the Voronezh Government, winter and spring cereals were 

 very satisfactory. In the Don territory spring cereals, especially barley, 

 were in excellent condition. Rye was rather less satisfactory. 



H.M. Consul-General at Odessa, in a despatch dated August 2nd, 

 states that, according to the latest reports, the condition of the crops 

 in his district is very satisfactory, and in some cases quite above the 

 average. It seems that the quantity is more satisfactory than the 

 quality, which in some places has been affected by untimely rain, but 

 more often, and especially in the eastern parts of the district, by 

 sudden and excessive heat. The harvest is proceeding under most 

 favourable conditions, and it is almost certain that large quantities 

 of grain will be available for export. 



France. — The report of the French Ministry of Agriculture {Journal 

 Officiel, July 28th), on the state of the crops on the 1st July gives the 

 condition of winter wheat as good in 19 departments, satisfactory in 

 59 departments, and in 7 departments less satisfactory. Spring wheat 



