i9°9-] The Weather and Crops in November. 769 



Consul Laidlaw has furnished a report on the agriculture of the Con- 

 sular District of Portland, comprising the States of Oregon, Washing- 

 ton, Idaho, and Mantana, and the territory of Alaska. 



As regards hops, it is stated that there was in 1908 a considerable re- 

 duction in the acreage cultivated. The area in Oregon was about 

 22,000 acres, and in Washington 4,000 acres, the production being 

 87,500 and 17,500 bales (of 185 lb.) respectively. The experience of 

 growers was again disastrous, and has resulted in a further diminution 

 of the area planted. 



In all four States, there has been a continued increase in the area 

 devoted to fruit growing, and very high prices have been paid for 

 suitable land. All fruit is very carefully inspected under the horticul- 

 tural laws of the States, and any diseased fruit offered for sale is 

 confiscated and destroyed. The Commissioners have also power to 

 destroy orchards that are diseased, unless the owners take steps to 

 exterminate the evil. 



In some sections the yield of apples and pears was very light on 

 account of the early frosts in the spring, but the general result was 

 a larger crop, in consequence of new orchards coming into bearing. 

 This increase is likely to continue, as there is constant planting going 

 on throughout the district. Some orchards threatened by frosts were 

 saved by building open fires and others by using smudges, and these 

 methods will be more fully tried in future when there is danger of 

 damage by frosts. Prices were considerably lower than in 1907, but 

 the business of growing high-class fruit was undoubtedly profitable. 



Formation of a Horticultural Commission in France. — In view of 

 the importance of the horticultural industry in France, the Minister 

 of Agriculture has recently recommended the formation of a Technical 

 .Commission attached to the Ministry for the purpose of advising 

 on Horticultural questions, and considering what measures can be 

 taken for the promotion of the industry. The Commission will 

 consist of 9 members ex-officio and 30 nominated members representing 

 horticulture. — (Bulletin Mensuel, October, 1909). 



Herring Flour as Cattle Food. — The British Vice-Consul at the 

 Lofoten Islands (Mr. J. Berg) reports that there is a growing manu- 

 facture, in a specially built factory, of " Sidmel " or "herring flour," 

 made directly from the fresh herring. Large quantities of this " flour " 

 go to Southern Norway for feeding cattle, it having been found that 

 an admixture of the powder with the ordinary cattle food greatly 

 increases the yield and quality of the milk. — (Board of Trade Journal, 

 October 14th, 1909.) 



During the first week of November, the weather was much drier in 

 the south and south-east than during the last weeks of October, but 

 the sky was frequently overcast, and there was 

 Notes on the Weather a good deal of fog or mist. The rainfall was 

 and the Crops in generally "light" or "very light," but 

 November. "moderate" in England E., and bright 



sunshine was a little below the average. 

 During the second week fairer conditions prevailed over the 

 Kingdom, but warmth was "deficient" everywhere. Bright sunshine 



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