191.0.] Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad. 



421 



style), followed immediately by serious drought and exceptionally warm 

 weather after June 2nd, have had an unfavourable influence on the 

 conditions of all cereal crops, both winter and spring varieties having 

 considerably depreciated. 



In the immense expanse of country embracing the whole of Central 

 Russia and the greater part of Russia in Europe, with the western 

 boundary on a line drawn through Novetchercask, Koursk, Kalouga, 

 Moscow, and Vologda, where, towards May 23rd, autumn crops gave 

 hopes of a very good harvest, conditions have somewhat fallen. This 

 depreciation has been caused in the provinces of the Black Soil Belt by 

 drought, while in the other provinces severe morning frosts, in addition 

 to drought, have done considerable damage to rye during the period of 

 heading. However, the excellent development of the autumn crops 

 during the spring has helped to counterbalance the injurious effect of 

 fater unfavourable circumstances, and the aspect is now not so bad 

 as might be feared. In short, conditions which were stated as good 

 at the middle of May may now be regarded as satisfactory ; with the 

 exception of Southern Russia, where the condition of autumn crops 

 remains very good. In other parts of Russia, no appreciable changes 

 have occurred since the last period. 



Spring crops were the chief victims of the drought and hot weather 

 during the latter half of May and the first half of June. Although in 

 the greater part of the country they germinated uniformly well, develop- 

 ment was slow. The provinces principally affected were Poltava, 

 Tchernigow, nearly all the provinces of West Russia, and Lithuania. 

 Spring crops have also suffered considerably on account .of lack of 

 moisture throughout the rest of the Empire, and especially in that part 

 of the country outside the Black Soil Belt, where the development of 

 the spring crops depended entirely on the early advent of rain, which 

 eventually fell towards the 20th June over a considerable area of Russia 

 in Europe, confirming the hopes of a general improvement in the 

 condition of spring crops. 



Sweden. — The severe drought which prevailed from June 1st to 28th 

 has delayed the development of the spring crops ; however, since the 

 latter date rain has fallen, and barley and oats have benefited from the 

 moisture. 



Switzerland.— Considerable damage has been done by the excess of 

 rain during the last few weeks, and crops have been lodged. Some 

 rust is reported almost everywhere. Oats have been damaged by the 

 Oscinia vastator. Maize has deteriorated on account of excess of 

 moisture. 



Canada. — Precipitation was light except in the maritime provinces. 

 Manitoba and Southern Alberta are suffering from drought and heat. 

 Conditions in The Prairie Section, middle and north, are only slightly 

 below normal. Recent rains have improved prospects everywhere. 



Argentina. — Meteorological conditions were fair at the time of sow- 

 ing, and 40 per cent, of the sowing was completed by July 1st. The 

 season is late as compared with last year. 



New Zealand. — Meteorological conditions were favourable during the 

 period of sowing ; 75 per cent, of the work of sowing was completed by 

 July 1st. The season is one month earlier than in 1909. 



