8/4 



Crop Conditions on January ist. 



JAN., 



Rain was almost of daily occurrence during the third week, and in 

 the western and northern districts fine intervals were usually very 

 brief. The falls over the whole week were "heavy" or "very heavy," 

 except in Scotland N. Warmth was uniformly "moderate." Sunshine 

 varied considerably in different districts, in Scotland N. and E. it was 

 "scanty," in England E. and the Midland Counties it was "abundant," 

 while in other districts it was "moderate." 



Daily rain was again experienced over most of the country in the 

 fourth week. In the south-east of England the aggregate rainfall was 

 four and a half times greater than the normal. Temperature was 

 much above the average, "unusual" or "very unusual" warmth being 

 everywhere recorded. Bright sunshine exceeded the average only in 

 Scotland N. and E., and was below it elsewhere. 



In the fifth week, December 24th~3oth, the weather was less dis- 

 turbed generally than during the preceding week, but more or less 

 rain was experienced on most days. The temperature was still high, 

 warmth being "unusual" in every district except Scotland N. and E. 

 Rainfall varied from "moderate" to "very heavy" in different districts, 

 and sunshine was either "moderate" or "scanty" everywhere. 



The Crop Reporters of the Board, in reporting on the state of the 

 crops and the agricultural conditions on January ist, state that the 

 . continuous rains during December generally 



Crop Conditions hindered work in the fields ; but as operations 

 in Great Britain were well ac j V ariced at the beginning of the 

 on January 1st. month, farm work is, with few exceptions, 

 forward for the season. Wheat and beans are everywhere a good plant, 

 healthy, and very promising. Over 80 per cent, of the whole area at 

 present intended for wheat has already been sown, the proportion being 

 larger in England, whereas in Wales and Scotland it does not amount 

 to more than about three-fourths. As compared with January ist, 1911, 

 the area already sown would appear to be quite 7 per cent, greater 

 in England and Wales, but in Scotland it is perhaps 4 per cent. less. 

 The increased area would seem to be chiefly in the south-west and 

 west midlands. 



The very hot summer has left its mark upon the "seeds," which 

 are, south of the Trent at least, weak and patchy, clovers having 

 especially suffered, while in many districts considerable areas have 

 been ploughed up. In the north of England the position is less unsatis- 

 factory, and in Scotland there are some very good fields. 



Special inquiries have been made as to the marketing of the potato 

 crop, and, although the replies indicate much diversity in adjoining 

 districts, it appears that about half the English crop has already been 

 sold, while in Scotland the proportion is barely one-third. In many 

 cases, however, the potatoes, although sold, have not yet been delivered. 



The mild wet weather of the month has allowed some late crops of 

 turnips and swedes, particularly the latter, and chiefly in the north, to 

 make further growth, but generally they are scarce, small, and of poor 

 quality, except in Scotland. 



The condition of ewes is generally said to be fair considering the 

 scarcity of food. The lack of turnips and the wet weather are, how- 



