1910.] Notes on Crop Prospects Abroad. 



509 



have suffered from heat and drought (principally in the south, and 

 along the course of the Volga) the general condition for the whole 

 Empire has considerably improved. The condition of winter crops has 

 improved in the central provinces and east of Moscow, as a result of 

 the rains during the latter part of June (old style). Russia in Europe 

 will probably give an average out-turn, though the aspect of the wheat 

 and rye crops varies considerably in different districts, according to the 

 time of sowing, the conditions then prevailing and the quantity of rain 

 that has since fallen. A good or over-average out-turn is expected in 

 the Black Soil Belt, east of the Dnieper. 



The condition of the spring crops has been considerably improved 

 almost throughout the Empire by the rains which fell during the 

 second half of June (old style). The crops have depreciated only in the 

 extreme south-west of Russia. In the large extent of country in West 

 Russia — in the upper and central basin of the Dnieper — there is no 

 apparent improvement in the conditions of spring crops, the June rains 

 having arrived too late. However, about an average harvest for spring 

 crops may be expected. 



Sweden. — Rye has suffered from frost in different parts of the 

 country. 



Switzerland. — Incessant rains have considerably retarded the develop- 

 ment of the cereals, and have caused lodging. The grain is small, 

 and the yield will not be abundant. 



Tunis. — Harvesting is completed everywhere, and threshing is pro- 

 gressing well. In the north (Valley of Medjerdah, Beja, Mateur, and 

 around Tunis) the yield is satisfactory on the farms of the European 

 colonists who sowed early and in well prepared soil ; but on the native 

 farms, where sowing was done late and in badly worked ground, the 

 yield is remarkably inferior. In the centre and south, the yields of 

 cereal crops are only mediocre this year. 



World's Grain Crops. — The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture issued 

 his preliminary estimate of the world's grain crops on August 31st, 

 based as regards Hungary and Austria on the official Government 

 report, and as regards foreign countries on Austro-Hungarian consular 

 reports. The estimates for last year are also revised. The totals for 

 the various crops are as follows : — 



1910. 1909. 



Thousands Thousands 



of qrs. of qrs. 



Wheat 456,020 445,770 



Rye ... ... ... 214,910 220,060 



Barley ... 195,390 204,420 



Oats ... 458,640 502,000 



Maize ... ... ... 492,450 446,990 



The wheat crop is thus put at 11,000,000 qrs. more than in 1909. 

 The deficit of wheat in the importing countries is estimated to be 

 71,000,000 qrs., while the surplus available for export in the exporting 

 countries is estimated at 88,000,000 qrs. (See also World's Wheat Crop 

 below.) 



World's Wheat Crop. — According to esTimates made by two of the 

 leading corn trade papers, the wheat crop of the world for 19 10 is likely 

 to be below that of last year, but above that of 1908. An estimate 



