104 



Reports on Foreign Crops. 



was normal, in others it was late, in consequence of this un- 

 suitable weather. The general condition of the autumn-sown 

 crops had more or less deteriorated during the preceding 

 month, especially in districts where there had been much 

 rain or snow. Rye had suffered most, notably in the Alpine 

 provinces. There were, however, favourable reports of the 

 condition of this cereal from some localities. Wheat had been 

 less affected by the inclement weather, and its condition was 

 fairly good ; there was a good deal of rust. Rape in 

 Bohemia and Moravia looked well, but was not satisfactory 

 in Galicia. The sowing of the spring crops had been greatly 

 hindered ; barley and oats were in many places not yet in 

 the ground, while potatoes, roots, and maize were even more 

 backward. Crops sown in March generally presented a better 

 appearance than those sown later. On the whole, however, the 

 condition of the spring crops may be described as fairly 

 satisfactory. 



Crops in Denmark. 



According to the Ugeskrift for Landmaznd, the condition of 

 the winter-sown cereals in Denmark ^at the end of May was 

 generally indifferent, owing to the cold winds and night 

 frosts in the early part of that month. Rye, particularly, 

 had suffered from these untoward climatic conditions, 

 although both this grain and oats exhibited some improve- 

 ment with the advent of the warmer weather in the last 

 week of May. Spring-sown grain, on the other hand, was 

 doing well everywhere. Fodder, roots, and sugar-beet were 

 also promising, and meadows and grass land were in good 

 condition. 



The final returns of the results of the harvest of 1896 show 

 that the yields of the principal crops were as follows : — 

 Wheat, 4,940,000 bushels; rye, 18,620,000 bushels; barley, 

 22,040,000 bushels ; oats, 36,100,000 bushels; and potatoes, 

 20,520,000 bushels. 



Crops in France. 



According to the estimates published by the Ministry 

 of Agriculture giving the condition of the crops in France 



