The rains this spring have been remarkably plentiful and have filled the wheat so that there is promise of a really good harvest. A good crop of rape seed has already Seen gathered and the farmers some places. have started on. the barley. The rains too have been just right for the planting of the cotton and the autumn crops. Unfortunately there is plenty of poppy feo and well watered districts like Chihahui and Hwachow are a sea of white and purple blooms. As 30 often happens just when the famine is almost over people outside seem, to have wakened up to the need and money is flowing in. It will be useful enough as there is always an aftermath of famine distress and something needs to be done to prevent future disasters, "Mr. Earl Baker arrived in the city the other day to inaugurate a scheme of road making to be superintended 'American' engineers who are already on their way. Mr, Baker his mind the making of motor road through the mountains fu the southeast to strike. naviga tion on the Han river and 20 con rect with Hankow. This is the old direct route. to. Shensi but bandits have made it impossible for years and it was pointed out that without guarantee of law and. order on the Hupeh border the toad. would be useless. Other suggestions have been made of a motor-road to San Yuan" and then on east to Range chow fa along the old trade routes fas affording an alternative road the Yellow River and Shansi
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.