350 



Crop Conditions on June ist. LJ ulv > 



The Crop Reporters of the Board, in reporting on agricultural condi- 

 tions on July ist, generally comment upon the adverse effect of the 

 _ ,. . continued spell of hot, dry weather upon the 



Crop Conditions crops> and their i mpr0V e me nt after the rain, 

 on U y s . Wheat stood the prolonged dry period better 



than barley or oats, and promises to be the best of the cereal crops. 

 It improved during the month, and is now reported as for the most 

 part strong and healthy, and coming into ear well. In some districts 

 the straw is short, but it has made some growth with the recent rains. 

 The yield on the whole is expected slightly to exceed the average, the 

 best results being looked for in the northern division. Both barley and 

 oats have suffered from the want of moisture, but have improved since 

 the rains. The plant is thin and patchy in places, and generally short 

 in the straw, and a yield below average is anticipated for both crops, 

 oats being the least satisfactory of the three cereals. Beans have been 

 considerably affected by " fly," and are short in the haulm. The yield 

 is not expected quite to reach an average. Peas vary considerably, and 

 reports state that the early varieties are yielding lightly, and for the 

 main crop a yield slightly below average may be looked for. 



Potatoes have generally done well, though some areas have been 

 affected by frosts during, the month. The plant is vigorous and healthy, 

 and has been greatly improved by the recent rains ; a slightly over- 

 average yield is predicted. Early varieties are reported to have yielded 

 light crops in some districts. 



Roots suffered from the drought, and mangolds are thin in plant, 

 and, although considerable improvement is recorded during the latter 

 part of the month, they are generally backward. The yield is not 

 expected to reach an average. Early sown turnips and swedes have 

 suffered badly from the dry weather and " fly," and a large area has 

 had to be re-sown. The later sown turnips were got in under more 

 favourable conditions, and are a fair plant. 



The spell of dry weather has changed the prospects for the hay crop, 

 which at the date of the last report was expected to exceed average, 

 while the results now are anticipated to be considerably below average. 

 Considerable progress has been made with the cutting of "seeds" hay, 

 much of which has been secured in good condition. Rain, however, 

 interrupted the work, and little meadow hay has yet been mown. The 

 yield of both kinds is expected to be under average, with better results 

 from arable land than from meadows. 



Cold nights during June checked the growth of hops, attacks of 

 vermin have been very prevalent in the south-eastern division, and 

 washing has been necessary ; in most districts an average yield is antici- 

 pated. In the west midland division blight has been troublesome in 

 Worcester, though in Hereford it is not now so severe. The crop is not 

 promising in this division on the whole. 



Fruit crops were extensively attacked by insects during the hot, dry 

 weather, and from the same cause much tree fruit prematurely dropped. 

 The crop of strawberries and raspberries is slightly over average, apples 

 about average, and currants, gooseberries, plums, pears, and cherries 

 under average. 



The bareness of the pasture during the early part of the month 

 affected the condition of the stock in some districts, but with the recent: 



