THE WINTER IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 20

THE WINTER IN ENGLAND.

The severe weather during the late English winter has had one effect which may prove disastrous to farmers. From all parts of Great Britain came reports of the dealjh of the Bmall birds. A farmer, writing from Southern Kent, says that on his farm he found many thousands of sparrows, blackbirds, robins, and other species, dead on the snow. The keen frost killed them. Attention is called to the. fact that in past years when a frost baa been experienced as severe as that lately felt in England, the following summer has been notable for its superabundance of insect life. Birds have been scarce and insects have multiplied. From tbese observations it is predicted that next summer insect pests will work great havoc in the fields, orchards, and gardens, especially amongst fruit. So there is -a probability of English fruit being scarce and dear next season. This will afford an opportunity for colonial fruit growers to develop a fruit trade with London. From Auckland and Canterbury already this season many thousands of cases of apples have been shipped, and If they arrive in good condition It will open up a new field of export. Any way, fruit

growers should be on their guard and nurse their orchards this autumn and next spring, so as to develop as highly as possible their crops, for England has an unlimited market for our fruit.