191 1.] Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad. 347 



The condition of the crops in Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Ireland, 

 Luxemburg, Norway, and Roumania appears from the reports given 

 to be generally good. 



Russia. — The rain which fell at the end of April and the beginning 

 of May (o. s.) in certain parts of the country made a great improve- 

 ment in the condition of the winter cereals in comparison with their 

 condition in the beginning ot spring. The hot weather then set in, 

 and on May ioth (o. s.) the condition of the winter cereals could be 

 considered as satisfactory on the whole, although it was not possible 

 to ascertain exactly the extent of the damage caused by the cold and 

 drought in the winter and in the beginning of spring. It may be 

 said, however, that the regions which have been most seriously tried 

 are the north-west, the extreme south-west, and the northern Caucasus ; 

 in the two latter places, the wheat is not in as good a condition as 

 the rye. 



The area sown to cereals has not decreased except in the regions 

 mentioned above, the damaged crops of winter cereals having been 

 replaced by spring cereals. The spring sowings have been made much 

 later than usual everywhere, on account of the cold weather in April. 

 In the south it was not possible even to begin them before the begin- 

 ning of April (o. s.). The germination was very uniform, but the 

 growth was arrested later on by the return of the cold and drought. 



Switzerland. — The probable yield of cereals is estimated as follows : — 

 Wheat, 1,877,000 cwt. ; rye, 905,000 cwl. ; barley, 199,000 cwt. ; and 

 oats, 1,433,000 cwt. The weather conditions are favourable to the 

 crops. There are no diseases, with the exception of a little rust. 



Canada. — The table given below indicates the condition of the 

 wheat, rye, barley, and oat crops on June ist, 191 1, expressed in the 

 percentage of a " standard " condition of the cereals on June ist of the 

 past year :— 



June ist, 1911. June ist, 1910. 



Winter wheat 80*63 ... 87*65 



Spring wheat 96*69 ... 9i'49 



Rye 90*26 ... 88*12 



Bar l e y 93'49 ••• 9 2 '94 



° ats 9476 ... 93*95 



The season is favourable to the crops in all parts of the country, 



and they are growing well. 



Japan. — The probable yield of cereals is estimated as follows 



Wheat, 11,569,000 cwt.; barley, 40,499,000 cwt.; and oats, 1,307,000 



cwt. 



Tunis. — The condition of the wheat, oats, and maize crops is excel- 

 lent. The rains were abundant and well distributed during the spring. 

 The wheat crop is estimated at 4,133,000 cwt., as compared with 

 2,165,000 cwt. in 1910. 



Chile. — The preparatory work and the sowing of autumn cereals are 

 being carried out under average conditions. The weather conditions 

 are favourable, although the sowing is being done at rather a late date. 



Australia. — The preparatory work and the sowing of autumn cereals 

 are being carried out under average conditions. The weather condi- 

 tions are favourable, and the period is normal. 



New Zealand.— The preparatory work and the sowing of autumn 



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