As 9 result of the—continued [drought in Shanghai which is causing serious damage to crops, farmers and villagers in Kiangwan, Lunghwa, and other districts on the outskirts of Shanghai, are holding parades of dragon gods in the hope that the districts may be favoured with rainfall Hundreds of farmers gathered at Lunghwa at sbout noon on Saturday and laboured under the scorching sun, holding a parade of the dragon god. A number of them wore costumes made of thick clot. Many painted their faces, and still others jesrried weapons, heavy iron chains, etc. A similar parade was held in the western district on Friday noon, resulting in a clash between two rival sections of villagers who fought for the right to lead the procession. Nothing of a serious nature occurred, however Being desperate over the prolonged Grought in spite of their prayer meetings and. processions held Honour of the dragon god, farmers in Pootung resorted to a new form of praying by exposing the dragon fod, a huge clay idol, to the sun, The farmers declare that they will let the idol remain in the open until ft rains, Taoists are, however, employed to perform religious ceremonies around the idol, praying for rain day and night.
From farther north, however, tales of floods and abnormal rain" keep coming in. From Kanyu comes the report that the city is under three feet of water as a result of the overflow of the Saho River. Kanyu is near Shantung province on the north= ern coast of Kiangsu province.
"Throughout this area floods are injereasing, being reported from Tsinen, where the Yellow River is still rising. The Grand Canal is also causing flood alarms, while a heavy rain on Wednesday in Huchow was the cause of} Sve deaths.
"The capital is sweltering with the thermometer hovering around 104 degrees Fahrenheit, says Kuo Min.
According to a message from Hangchow, as a result of the hot weather, the rivers are drying up and the fermers are suffering bitterly from the drought. In Anking, provincial capital of Anhwei, the temperature fon Thursday registered 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Cases of heat prostration are increasing.
The situation in Hupeh is worsen-ting, says a report. While Hankow
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