I 9 t2.] 



Notes on the Weather. 



373 



lack of fodder in many parts of the Bombay Deccan. Even in an 

 ordinary year fodder in these districts is so scarce that hardly any is 

 stored. In other parts it is usually plentiful, but its bulk prevents 

 transportation, and it therefore appears that a good opening exists for 

 compressed fodder that is easily portable, and can be kept for a long 

 time. 



Prevention of Adulteration of Fertilisers in Russia. — A Bill for the 

 prevention of the adulteration of artificial manures in Russia, which 

 is at present under consideration, proposes to prohibit the sale of 

 manure containing less than a given percentage of its proper con- 

 stituents or more than a certain percentage of impurities. The Bill 

 also provides for the establishment of experimental stations and labora- 

 tories in various districts for the purpose of testing fertilisers. (Board 

 of Trade Journal, December 14th, 191 1.) 



Demand for Chemical Manures in Egypt.— H.M. Consul at Alexandria 

 (Mr. E. H. Mulock) reports that in 19 10 there was an increase in the 

 imports of chemical manures, due to their increasing demand for 

 intensive cultivation, chiefly of agricultural crops, and to some extent 

 (in Alexandria only) of vegetables and fruit. A total of 35,559 tons 

 was imported into Egypt in 19 10, of which 50 per cent, came from 

 Belgium, 33 per cent, from Chile, and 14 per cent, from the United 

 Kingdom. This total included 30,505 tons of nitrate of soda, 3,318 tons 

 of superphosphates, 1,660 tons of sulphate of ammonia, and 76 tons of 

 miscellaneous manures. There is also an increasing demand for 

 potassic manures for use on poor lands. 



The British share of the chemical manures imported in 1910 is four 

 times as much as in 1909, and constitutes one-seventh of a total that 

 has increased by 66 per cent. 



Up to the present manures have been allowed to be imported duty 

 free, but from January, 19 12, this privilege will cease, and duty will be 

 levied as on other imports (F.O. Reports, Annual Series, No. 4726). 



The weather underwent frequent changes in the first week, 

 November 27th to December 2nd, and while its general character was 

 unsettled, all parts of the country experienced 

 55 "l. some days with little or no rain In iie 



on the Weather south-east and north-west of England th- 

 in December, weather was dry, "moderate" falls of rain 

 being recorded elsewhere. Temperature differed little from the average 

 over Great Britain generally. Bright sunshine was less than the 

 normal in the eastern and central parts of England, and above it 

 elsewhere. 



The general condition was again extremely unsettled in the second 

 week, rain falling very frequently, with, however, considerable intervals 

 of bright sunshine. Temperature was below the normal generally, 

 but equal to it in the Midland Counties, England E. and S.E., and 

 Scotland N. Rainfall exceeded the average except in Scotland N., the 

 excess being large in most districts ; heavy falls occurred on December 

 6th and 8th over a very large area in the west and north. "Abundant" 

 or "very abundant" sunshine was recorded during the week over the 

 whole country. 



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