STATISTICS. 455 



The estimated acreage sown to wheat in the fall of 1905 for the har- 

 vest of 1906 is about 6 per cent below the acreage sown the previous 

 year. The greatest decrease is in the southwest section, and is, no doubt, 

 owing to two principal causes : First, owing to the very unsatisfactory 

 yield in several of the large wheat counties of that section last year ; and, 

 second, because of the wet weather preventing the preparation of the 

 soil for sowing. The condition of the new crop on the first of December 

 was 90, which is above the normal condition for that time of year, and 

 which is 17 points above the condition of the crop at the same time in 

 1904. 



