202 In Europe the blossoming season is retarded four days for each degree of northern latitude. (_Schübler_.) As we advance towards the north, the difference becomes less noticeable, but more so as we go towards the south. In mountainous countries a similar difference is observable, produced by a like climatic influence. It is from about 10 to 12 days, for a height of from 500 to 600 feet. (_Wolff_, Naturgesetzliche Grundlagen des Ackerbaues I, p. 332 ff.) In the cantons, in which the Swiss confederation had its origin, the pasturage of the Alps lasts generally thirteen weeks, but in the higher Alps it lasts only from six to seven weeks. (_Businger_, C. Unterwalden., p. 52.) 203 In central Italy, winter wheat may be sown in October, November or December; summer wheat, in February or March. (_Sismondi_, Tableau de l’Agriculture Toscane, p. 35.) In Judæa, it was possible to harvest figs ten months in the year. (_Joseph_, Bell. Jud., Ill, p. 10.) On the other hand, there is Jemtland, where the peasant in many places surrounds the northern portion of his cornfield with fagots, and lights them in August when the north wind blows, to protect his land from the frost; and where the expression “green years” is used to designate those in which the harvest has to be reaped before it is ripe. (_Forsell_, Statistik von Schweden, 24.) In the valuation made of the lands of the kingdom of Saxony, for assessment purposes, the cost of supporting a yoke of oxen in the lowest country is estimated at only three-fourths of what it is in the highest localities, because in the former, 200 work days can be calculated upon in the year, in the latter only 159. In central Russia, the greater part of the labor of agriculture, sowing and harvesting, has to be finished within the space of four months. In central Germany, they are spread over seven months. Other things being equal, seven horses and ploughmen are needed in Russia where only four are called for in central Germany, (_von Haxthausen_, Studien I, 174.) On the impediments put in the way of agriculture by the climate of eastern Prussia, see _Meitzen_, Boden und landwirthsch. Verhältnisse des preussichen Staats, 1868, I, Abschn., 6.