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1797, more than 100,000 people died. Severe frosts
and consequent destruction of the crops occurred in
1856, 1862, and 1867, when the population in one
year decreased by 100,000 souls. It is especially
during the month of August that frost destroys the
growing crops. When the hoar-frost melts away on
sunny mornings, corn and vegetables are killed in
large quantities. Now, however, not only are these
frosts less frequent — owing to the bogs and marshes,
where the frost-fogs linger, having been drained — but
with the extension of railway and other communication
it is easier to bring relief in the famine-periods. The
people themselves have other provision for famine
years. Such occupations as tree-felling and
forest-work generally bring a certain amount of income,
especially in the northern districts, so that the
precarious profits of agriculture are of less vital
importance. Finally, the great development of dairy-farming
makes the people less dependent on the cultivation of
grain.
Notwithstanding the frequent frosts, the climate of
Finland cannot be called unfavourable to agriculture.
This is due to the Gulf Stream, which mitigates the
rigour of the climate, though not to the same extent
as on the Norwegian coast. Finland is also surrounded
by the Gulf of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, and the
Lake of Ladoga, three great reservoirs which retain the
warmth of summer far on into the autumn. The
whole country slopes to the south-west, which leaves
it exposed mainly to the warmer winds. There is, of
course, a great difference in the climate in different
parts of the country. “When it is time for strawberries
to be in flower in Tammerfors, the Lapps are
driving in sledges.” At Helsingfors the longest day and
the longest night are not more than 18½ hours, which
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