Orris Root. 535 



The Meteorological Council has arranged a special service 

 of forecasts for the benefit of agriculturists and others during 



the summer months (June to September 

 Ha 7orecr s ts ther inclu sivej. The forecasts are based upon 



special telegraphic reports of observa- 

 tions taken at 2 p.m. at a selected number of reporting 

 stations, and refer to the 24 hours from midnight of the 

 day of issue. The forecasts are sent by telegraph to those 

 who express a wish to receive them regularly, and who 

 defray the cost of the telegrams. The number of recipients 

 of these forecasts for various periods in the summer of 1900 

 was 129. It showed a remarkable increase over the number 

 of applications in 1899, which only reached 20. 



Agricultural labourers were, for the most part, in full 

 employment throughout the year ; although casual labourers 



experienced some slight irregularity of 

 L^tK>ur U in U 1901 em P lo y ment in several districts. In the 



summer and autumn, owing to drought, 

 the hay and corn crops, and also the root crops, are stated to 

 have been generally light, so that casual men were not 

 greatly in demand ; while at. the end of the year extra hands 

 again lost a little in some districts through farm work being 

 in a forward state, owing to the fine weather in the autumn. 

 Generally speaking, the supply of men was better than in 

 1900. 



[Labour Gazette, February, igo2.] 



The Florentine orris root [Iris florentina) is an indigenous 

 root cultivated in the province of Florence 

 Orris Root. as well as in other parts of Tuscany. It 

 is a variety quite distinct from the German 

 Iris or Orris [Iris communis), and it is much more appreciated 

 and sought after on account of its well-marked violet perfume, 

 and the largeness and whiteness of its root. The harvest 

 generally takes place in the month of July when the plants 

 are two or three years old, according to their development. 



