1036 Notes on the Weather in February, [march, 



The Crop Reporters of the Board, in reporting on agricultural condi- 

 tions in February, state generally that the open weather, especially 

 during the first half of the month, has, on 

 Agricultural the whole, favoured the autumn-sown crops, 



Conditions in and the appearance of the wheat shows im- 



Great Britain provement. Early sown wheat, as has been 



on March 1st. tne case throughout the season, looks better 



than the late sown, which still looks thin in 

 places, while some resowing has taken place upon lands flooded during 

 December. The storms in the west and north during the latter part of 

 the month, which were most severely felt in Scotland, do not appear 

 to have done any material harm. 



During the first part of the month considerable progress was made 

 with the spring sowings, and in most districts farm work is more 

 forward than usual. In many districts of England most of the spring 

 wheat had been put in, the north-eastern division being apparently the 

 most backward, relatively, in this respect. In the east and south, con- 

 siderable progress had been made with oats and beans, the seed being 

 generally reported to have gone into an excellent seed-bed. Where 

 showing above ground, the appearance of the young crops was quite 

 satisfactory. Much less barley had, at the date of the reports, been 

 sown, while in only a few places (except in the south-east) had a 

 beginning been made with peas. Very little spring-sowing had been 

 done in the more northern districts of England or in Scotland. 



The reports on lambing are somewhat, variable, and, on the whole, 

 the fall of lambs would hardly appear to be more than average. Lamb- 

 ing is practically finished in a few southern counties, and is now general 

 over the midland counties of England. There are fewer unsatisfactory 

 accounts from the latter than from the south, where reports of heavy 

 losses among the ewes or the lambs are not infrequent. In the north, 

 where lambing has not yet commenced, the ewes are reported generally 

 to be in very good condition, though in the west of Scotland they have 

 suffered badly in some districts from the rough weather. 



Live stock generally are reported to have done well during the 

 month, and to be in good condition, with some exceptions in a few 

 localities. 



The weather during the first week (January 29th to February 4th) 

 was fair or fine over Great Britain generally, but mist or fog pre- 

 vailed at times in most districts. Except in 

 Notes on the Weather Scotland N., temperature was below the 

 in February. average, the deficiency being large as a rule. 



No rain fell in England N.W. and S.W., and 

 Scotland E., and in other parts of the country the fall was very slight. 

 Bright sunshine exceeded the normal in all districts except Scotland W., 

 the excess being considerable in many localities. 



Though the general condition during the second week was cloudy 

 or overcast, rainfall continued either "light" or "very light," and only 

 in England E. was it classed as "moderate." At many stations the 



