30 



REPORTS ON FOREIGN CROPS. 



[June 189C. 



Crops in Italy. 



According to the Gazzetta Ufficiale the condition of the crops 

 in Italy at the end of April was very promising, but in the 

 northern and central districts rain was badly wanted, particu- 

 larly for the maize crop, while in many localities the pastures 

 were suffering from drought. Cereals and green crops were 

 flourishing. Fruit trees and vines were also reported to be in a 

 very satisfactory condition. 



Crops in Roumania. 



According to information published in the CurierulFinanciar, 

 the abundant rain which fell towards the end of April had a 

 very favourable influence upon the crops, and the subsequent 

 mild weather encouraged the development of vegetation 

 throughout Roumania. The crop prospects are considered to 

 be good. 



Crops in Russia. 



The condition of the winter cereals in Mid-Russia was appa- 

 rently fair at the end of April, though the fields were still more 

 or less covered with snow. In Kiev the aspect of the winter 

 wheat and rye was satisfactory, and spring sowings were pro- 

 gressing under favourable conditions. Similar reports were 

 received from East Russia, and in the Government of Odessa 

 the autumn crops are reported to look well throughout the 

 province, except in a few places where the fields have been 

 ploughed up and resown. 



Crops in Spain. 



The drought which has prevailed this year in Spain has 

 given occasion for the publication in the Official Gazette of 

 some very interesting meteorological statistics from which it 

 appears that less rain has fallen in Madrid during the first four 

 months of the present year than during the same period of any 

 year since 1860. 



During the last twenty years, dry seasons prevailed in Spain 

 in 1878, 1882, 1887, and 1893; and in each case the effect was 

 shown by an increased importation of cereals. 



Previously to 1878 the amount of wheat imported exceeded 

 60,000 tons only in three years, viz. 1869, 1870 and 1871 ; when 

 rain fell during the first four months on 20, 28 and 22 days 

 respectively. Since 1882 the average imports in years when 

 there was a good or fairly good harvest, or those in which rain 

 fell during the first four months on more than 40 days, are 

 estimated at 150,000 tons. 



