i9 io.] Monthly Agricultural Report, 



7/1 



tory progress has been made, and as autumn work was well forward 

 at the beginning of the month, farming operations are mostly well 

 up-to-date. Reports on the appearance of the new wheat are some- 

 what variable ; it is generally reported as healthy and vigorous, more 

 especially that which was sown early, but that which was sown later 

 has made but slow progress. 



Inquiries were made of the Reporters as to the approximate pro- 

 portion of the land intended for wheat already sown. From the 

 reports received it would seem that about three-fourths of the total 

 area intended for wheat had been planted by December ist. The 

 pioportion varied in different districts: in the east, north, and south- 

 east of England, some 8o to 85 per cent, had been sown, while in the 

 west midlands and south-west the percentage was not more than 

 about 70. 



Comparing the present year with 1909, it would seem that by 

 December ist the area actually sown to wheat was about 10 per cent, 

 greater than at the same date last year, the proportion being rather 

 more in the north and east, and less in the west and south-west. 



Mangolds had practically all been lifted before the end of the month. 

 Good progress had been made with the lifting of such turnips and 

 swedes as were not intended to be fed off, although in the north of 

 Scotland the wet weather had greatly hindered this work. The quality 

 arid condition of the roots were generally good, there being very few 

 reports of disease; but they are not infrequently described as small, 

 especially the mangolds. 



Labour is generally reported abundant, except in a few counties, 

 including some in the north of Scotland, where there was a little 

 scarcity of temporary labour for turnip lifting. On the other hand, 

 Reporters in two or three districts of England mention that the supply 

 of labour was greater than the demand. 



In addition to the above general summary, the " Monthly Agricul- 

 tural Report " contains local summaries giving further details regard- 

 ing agricultural conditions in the different districts of Great Britain. 

 For this purpose the counties of England are divided into eight groups ; 

 Scotland is given in two Divisions, while Wales is treated as one 

 Division. 



A copy of this Report can be obtained free on application to the 

 Secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4 Whitehall Place, S.W. 



The weather during the first week (October 30th to November 5th), 

 though generally rough, squally, and frequently rainy, included several 



periods of clear or partially clear sky. Tem- 

 Notes Oil the Weather perature was below the average in all dis- 

 in November. tricts, and even reached so low a point as 



23 0 F. in England S.E. Rainfall was generally 

 in excess of the normal, heavy falls being recorded over the whole of 

 England, except in the Midland and north-eastern counties. In spite 

 of this, most districts experienced an unusual amount of bright 

 sunshine. 



3 II 2 



