The figures issued by the National Agreultural Research Bureau of the Chinese Government, relative to the destruction of crops in Cheldang, Kiangsu and Anhwei wrought by the natural calamities of last summer, give a very fair idea of the damage which has been done. No fewer than 108,282,000 mow of agricultural land were involved in either drought, flood or storm. The estimated losses of crops amount to the big total of 198, {600,000 piculs valued at §528,925,000, One of the most remarkable features of the summer was that the severest drought was felt in the valley of the Huai River, which readers will remember in comparatively recent years, was annually addicted to dislastrous floods, the avoidance of which has been a matter of study by conservancy experts for some time past. Though. the statement issued some important data, it still fails to indicate exactly how near famine conditions all or part of the areas which have been inspected have been reduced. Judging from reports which came to hand in August and early 'September, it would seem that, in some districts, at least, the stale of is one' which will make upon public assistance before the winter Is finished. To that end the Government has already been reported to be making preparations, for it is apparent that not only will the problem of feeding the rural workers have to be considered but also the question of supplying them with seed against the next planting. The figures do not seem to present anything in the nature of so grave problem as has sometimes been raised by annual conditions further north, though it is clear that the peasantry will soon be standing in need of some assistance.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.