MONTHLY REPORT. 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ’ 
Statistical Division, October 18, 1873. 
Sir: I present herewith for publication a report of the @ctober returns, 
showing the condition of growing crops; some facts concerning the 
comparative yield of cereals in various countries in connection with 
the causes of declining or improving rates of production; a statement 
illustrative of the condition of agriculture in Persia; tables giving the 
market prices of certain farm products in this country; and a variety 
of matter from the entomoligist, the ne and the botanist of the 
Department. * 
. J. R. DODGE, 
Statistionant 
Hon. FREDERICK WATTS. 
REPORT OF CROP RETURNS. 
CORN. 
The present year, like that of 1869, which produced the crop returned 
in the census of 1870, is one of low, production, as regards maize, our 
main cereal, both in quantity and quality; while the quantity of wheat 
will be rather more than an average, in view of its increased area, though 
not equal to the great wheat-crop of 1869. This result is far better for 
farmers and consumers than a deficient yield of wheat with a large - 
crop of corn, as the surplus of the former above the actual wants of 
bread-consumers is quite small; but two hundred millions of bushels of 
corn can always be spared from a full crop without any other effect 
than an enhancement of’ prices to a figure representing more fairly the 
cost of production. The flexibility of the corn consumption is unex- 
ampled in the case of any other crop, other feeding-material, much of 
which in years of abundance is wasted or improperly utilized, being sub- 
stituted for maize whenever a deficiency in that crop is realized. There. 
is always enough of corn-fodder wasted to feed an immense number of 
cattle; and in certain sections the farm-stock is half subsisted upon 
straw, notwithstanding the deliberate burning of nine-tenths of it to get 
it out of the way. The resources of fall and winter pasturage are also 
utilized. While these materials supply the place of hay rather than 
corn, and serve to wiater rather than fatten farm-stock, they do render 
possible a less lavish use of corn than obtains in seasons when it becomes 
a drug at 20 cents per bushel. 
Frosts have been early this year. Several New York correspondents 
refer to those of the 14th and 15th of September; the dates most fre- 
