1909.] Report on Crop Prospects in August. 503 



The Destructive Insects and Pests Order of 1908 requires the occupier 

 of any premises on which the disease known as Wart Disease or Black 

 Scab of Potatoes (Chrysophlyctis endobiotica, 

 Warning to Schilb.) is discovered, to report the fact to the 



Potato Growers Board, with particulars of the date and place 

 of discovery. A specimen of the diseased 

 potato should be sent where practicable. Failure to report such dis- 

 covery renders the occupier liable to a fine of ^10. 



All letters should be addressed to the Secretary, Board of Agriculture 

 and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, London, S.W. Letters so addressed 

 need not be stamped. 



A leaflet describing this disease, which is also known locally as 

 Cauliflower Disease, Canker Fungus, Acker Spruit, &c, can be ob- 

 tained, post free, on application to the Secretary of the Board. 



The reports received from the Crop Estimators of the Board on 

 August 15th generally indicate an improvement in the condition and 

 prospects of all the principal crops with the 



Report on Crop exception of hops, largely owing, in the case 

 Prospects in August. °f tne corn crops at least, to the sunshine 

 and warmth of the first half of August. 

 Barley seems to have made the most progress of the three corn 

 crops, and its prospects are now regarded as equal to those of 

 wheat. Oats are a poor crop in England, but improvement is frequently 

 mentioned, and this crop may be marked one point up on the month. 



Spring Beans are reported as badly blighted by fly and a poor crop ; 

 winter Beans are generally good. Very variable reports — from poor and 

 indifferent to very good — have been received concerning Peas. 



Potatoes have slightly improved, and may be ranked with wheat 

 and barley as the best crops of the year. Roots are on the whole good ; 

 an improvement in mangolds is noted in many districts, though the 

 prospects for them are generally less bright than those for turnips and 

 swedes. 



Hay and grass, although the season's yield is a bad one, show an 

 advance of two points on the month, chiefly owing to the improvement 

 of pastures, and, in some cases, good second crops, as a result of the 

 July rains. The yield of hay is light, except in a few places, particularly 

 in Scotland, where the crop was sufficiently late to benefit by the wet 

 weather. 



Hops, in spite of continued washing for two months past, are still 

 described as very seriously affected by blight, and the yield appears 

 certain to be even lower than was anticipated in July. 



The supply of labour is reported to have been generally sufficient 

 during the hay-making; and an adequate supply is anticipated for the 

 corn harvest, although much cutting will have to be done by hand, 

 as the crops have been laid in many parts of the. country. 



Summarising- the reports, and representing an average yield by 100, 

 the appearance of the crops in mid-August indicated yields for Great 

 Britain which may be represented by the following percentages : — 

 Wheat, 105; Barley, 105; Oats, 97; Potatoes, 105; Roots, 104; 

 Hay, 94. 



