5o6 Report on Crop Prospects on Sept. ist. [sept., 



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

 crops and the agricultural conditions on September ist, generally refer 



Re ort on Cro t0 t ^ ie a( * verse € ^ ect °f tne weather during 



*p + August upon the cereal crops, and the aver- 



+ \ 1 a ^ e P ros P ects °f a ^ three are now somewhat 



beptember 1st. Wer than a month ag0; both wheat and 



oats being now reported as below average, and barley an average. 

 Harvesting became general, in the south, by about the middle of 

 August, and a week or so. later in the north of England; but owing to 

 the wet and stormy weather towards the end of the month, compara- 

 tively little progress had been made, except in some early districts. 

 Prospects for all three corn crops remain less satisfactory in the east 

 and south than in the north, although the storms at the end of the 

 month appear to have been quite as severe in Scotland as in England. 



Beans are practically unchanged, but peas have deteriorated during 

 the month. 



Potatoes have been attacked by disease, especially in the south and 

 east, the northern districts apparently being less seriously affected. 

 As a result, a considerable falling off is to be noted in their average 

 condition, although prospects still indicate a yield above normal, 

 especially in Scotland. 



Roots have improved during the month, particularly turnips and 

 swedes, which now appear likely to be the best crop of the year. The 

 improvement in mangolds is tess marked, want of sunshine being 

 particularly regarded as the cause. 



Hops are reported to have improved during the month ; there are 

 fewer reports of vermin than usual, though mould has been trouble- 

 some in some places. Picking began at the end of August in Kent, 

 and was expected to be general during the first week of September. 



All tree-fruit is scarce, although plums are not so scarce in Wor- 

 cestershire as was previously reported. 



Pastures generally are full of grass, but not always of good quality, 

 in consequence of excess of moisture and lack of sunshine. Cattle 

 and sheep are reported to be doing well on the whole, but excessive 

 wet and low temperature have been rather against them in many 

 parts of the country ; husk is reported from a few districts, and foot- 

 rot is prevalent in certain localities. 



The supply of labour is sufficient to meet all requirements at pre- 

 sent. More temporary labour than usual will be required for the corn 

 harvest, particularly in Scotland, where there may possibly be a scarcity 

 in some districts. 



Summarising the reports, and representing an average crop by 

 ioo, the appearance of the crops on September ist indicates yields for 

 Great Britain which m^y be represented by the following percentages : — j 

 Wheat, 99 ; barley, ioo ; oats, 98 ; beans, 102 ; peas, 99 ; potatoes, 103 ; J 

 turnips and swedes, 106; mangolds, 103; hops, 103. 



Summaries of the condition of the different crops in each district are ! 

 included in the report. The state of the hop crop is given as fol- j 

 lows : — 



Hop Crop. — In Kent there has been general improvement since) 

 August ist, but much now depends upon the weather. Little vermin 

 is now reported, but mould has been very troublesome in some gardens. 

 Picking began at the end of August, and with favourable weather will 



