REPORTS ON FOREIGN CROPS. 107 

deficiency in the rainfall of the monsoon, left much of the 
ground unfit for sowing, and the prospects were so dis- 
couraging that there was but little inducement to sow 
No this general rule some of the northern districts, in 
which there was a heavier monsoon rainfall, were a partial 
exception. On the whole, it was estimated that the wheat 
crop would be about 45 per cent. of a normal yield on an 
dLhedeOuper cent, oO the average, on) less than’ a hith of the 
normal yield on a normal area, 
In Bombay (including Sind) the area sown was 1,597,000 
Genes One pen cent. below lastiyears vand the average 
The decrease was most marked in Gujarat and the Deccan 
where the late rains entirely failed. On this contracted area 
tiemenoomias done badly on the whole; except in Sind, 
where it ,.was in fair condition. On two-fifths of the area 
sown in British districts the crop was reported to have 
perished, and the surviving crop, so far as it was not irri- 
gated, was in very poor condition, and will give but a 
nominal yield. The irrigated crop was somewhat better, 
but will yield moderately owing to the deficiency of the 
water-supply. 
In Berar there was hardly a semblance of a crop. The 
area sown was estimated at only 17,411 acres, which was 96 
per cent. less than the area reported at the corresponding 
period of last year. 
In the Nizam’s territory, also, the destruction of the crop 
was about as complete as in Berar. The area sown was less 
than that of last year by 783,924 acres, and the yield was 
estimated at only 16 per cent. of an average crop. 
THE FRENCH WHEAT CROP. 
An official report on the condition of the French crops on 
the 10th May, 1900, was published in the Yournal Officzel ot 
the 27th of that month. . 
The appearance of winter wheat crops was stated to be 
ie yECOOCmainmWyO. Cepartments, 1. @O0d. in 225) < lainly, 
