Reports on Foreign Crops. 



^57 



nine departments gave the condition of this grain as very 

 good, sixty-seven as good, and eight as fairly good, while 

 in one (Corsica) the outlook was bad. These indications 

 were, however, not quite so promising as they were a couple 

 ■of months previously. The condition of rye was also good. 

 Neither barley nor oats could be described as more than 

 fairly good, but barley seemed a little the better of the two. 

 Vines promised well, but the cider prospects were only poor. 

 Most of the districts cultivating sugar-beet reported the con- 

 dition of this crop to be good. The condition of potatoes 

 was generally good, but only fairly so in some departments. 

 Clovers and grasses were only fair. 



Crops in Germany. 



The latest official reports on the condition of crops in 

 Germany state that hot and dry weather had prevailed up to 

 ihe middle of August. This had rapidly ripened the corn 

 crops and hastened on the harvest operations, but had been 

 injurious to clover and grass ; potatoes, lucerne, and rye also 

 showed some deterioration. A comparison of the condition 

 of the crops in August last with the previous six years 

 indicates that the corn crops are better than usual, although 

 not likely to be quite as good, on the whole, as last year. 

 On the other hand, potatoes have often been better, while 

 clover and hay are much below the average, and compare 

 still more badly with last year. There have been numerous 

 thunderstorms, but comparatively little damage is reported 

 from hail. Field mice have increased considerably, owing 

 to the dry weather. 



The grain harvest is reported to be most promising in the i 

 south, where the prospects are as good as last year ; wheat is 

 generally better than rye. Oats and barley have in many 

 cases ripened too rapidly. This applies also, but 

 apparently to a less extent, to the autumn sown cereals. 

 Reports concerning potatoes vary ; this crop would appear 

 to be poor in the eastern districts of Prussia and in Saxony, 

 but generally good elsewhere. Clover is unequal, it has, 



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