Reports on Foreign Crops. 



105 



1,569,500 acres in 1897-98, and the out-turn is estimated at 

 666,800 tons as compared with 592,600 tons. 



Crops in Austria. 



The official report upon the condition of the crops in 

 Austria at the middle of May, received through the Foreign 

 Office, states that vegetation had been retarded by the 

 backward character of the season, cold weather lasting till 

 the first week in May. Warmth and rain had, however, 

 then «]et in, and agricultural prospects were much improved 

 thereby. 



Wheat was said to be everywhere in very fine condition, 

 and in some places so luxuriant as to require thinning. Rye 

 had suffered most from the unseasonable weather, and was 

 generally poor and weak. Barley gave fair promise, 

 although it had been somewhat damaged by weeds and 

 insects. Maize was backward, but its ultimate prospects 

 were satisfactory. Rape seed in Moravia and Bohemia was 

 poor and stunted, while in other districts it could only be 

 classed as average. Clover and grass, thanks to the rains of 

 May, gave promise of a good, if rather late, crop. The 

 sowing of sugar-beet was completed, but the plants were 

 only developing slowly, while in places they had to contend 

 with drought and weeds. Hops and vines were backward. 

 Peaches, cherries, apples, and nuts were disappointing, but 

 pears were likely to yield a good crop ; damsons in Moravia, 

 and olives in Dalmatia, were reported to be satisfactory. 



The Austrian Harvest of 1898. 



The Ministry of Agriculture at Vienna has published the 

 annual statistics relating to the principal grain crops in 



