MONTHLY REPORT. 



Department of Agriculture, July, 1866. 



In presenting the July report of tLis department, I am happy in congratulating 

 the country upon the prospect of a year of average fruitfulness. Wheat, the 

 bread crop of the country, was in 1865 less in quantity and in quality than in 

 1864. Much of the seed used last autumn was of inferior quality, producing 

 plants of low vitality, and the winter following was in most districts variable, 

 freezing and thawing, with little snow and much moisture ; and to add to the 

 chances against the life of the plants, the spring was cold, with frequent and 

 severe freezing. This was the case particularly in the Ohio valley, and to 

 some extent throughout the country east of the Mississippi. But the States 

 west of that river promise an unusually abundant crop of superior quality. The 

 fine weather of the later spring and eai4y summer has wonderfully developed the 

 remaining grain of the injured districts. There has been an unusual exemption 

 from ravages of insect tribes ; neither rust nor storms have done it material 

 injm-y; and now, if it escapes sprouting from wet weather, the promise is of a 

 crop nearly as large as last year and far better in quality. The present indica- 

 tions, as marked by our thousands of correspondents, point to an average of 

 about 8 J tenths in quantity, and of a quality that will make it equal in value to 

 last year's crop. 



Oats and potatoes were both planted in enlarged breadth, and both promise 

 abundant crops. Oats are particularly heavy. 



Pastures are about the average in condition ; clover fields a little below. 



At least ten per cent, more corn has been planted than usual, and it is gen- 

 erally of fine color, in vigorous growth, but low in altitude for the season. 



An extended acreage has been put in potatoes, which average about 10 J tenths 

 in present appearance. Sorghum is reported, on an average throughout the 

 States, at about 9 tenths. Fruits, as will appear from inspection of the tables, 

 are deficient in quantity, especially peaches, which are reported in the principal 

 peach-growing States as follows : New Jersey, If tenths; Delaware, 2\ tenths; 

 Maryland, 4| tenths ; Michigan, 7| tenths ; Illinois, 5 tenths ; Missouri, 6^ 

 tenths. 



In the report valuable tables of statistics relative to wool production and con- 

 sumption, and to exports of agricultural products, will be found, with various 

 other data of resources and production that is worthy of examination and pres- 

 ervation. 



ISAAC NEWTON, Comviissioner, 



