98 



iu seven the winter grain looks better than for several years, and in 

 fonrteen it ••' never looked better." Twelve counties do not report rye. 



Yery general returns from Michigan represent winter grains in supe- 

 rior condition, eleven only giving an average promise, and none lower 

 than average. 



In Wisconsin there was some injury in the more northern counties 

 from freezing, six reporting low condition, but the larger number repre- 

 sent the crop as better than usual. But twenty-six counties report 

 winter wheat. 



Very little winter grain is grown in Minnesota. Five counties report 

 wheat looking well, and two make unlavorable returns. In a large num- 

 ber winter rye is growu, and is generally looking well. 



Less than a tenth of the wheat of Iowa is the winter variety. Only 

 sixteen counties report it, all favorabh'. 



In Kansas the returns from thirty-one counties represent the range 

 of condition of winter grain from "good" to "the finest known," and 

 "an immense yield is expected." 



Nebraska is a spriug- wheat regiou, but the winter variety "looks 

 well, what there is of it." 



The reports from California are more variable. In Alameda " wheat 

 and other grains do not promise an abundant crop;" in Stanislaus it 

 is "50 per cent, worse than usual, owing to cold, dry weather;" in San 

 Joaquin it was represented that crops would be an almost total failure 

 unless spring rains were enjoyed ; an average condition is reported in 

 Santa Clara and Tuolumne; an improvement upon last year is indicated 

 in Napa and San Bernardino; and in Lake and Mendocino all winter 

 crops are in excellent condition. 



Accounts are favorable from Oregon, except in Josephine County. 

 Where winter crops are grown in Nevada and the Territories, they are 

 reported iu good condition almost without exception. 



CONDITION OF FAEM ANIMALS. 



A little foresight, directing the way to judicious managemenc, will often 

 remedy the deficiencies of i^roduction. Thus the comparatively short crop 

 of hay of last season, whicb was seriously light in the East and in portions 

 of the West, led to the husbanding of immense quantities of corn-fodder, 

 and to the utilizing of masses of straw for feeding purposes, so that the 

 animals of the farm, consigned by the timid and the croaking to semi- 

 starvation or the knife, have come forth from their winter quarters in 

 higher fiesh and better health than for several years past. It is true 

 that, in sections in which scarcity was most apparent, beeves were sent 

 to the shambles in larger numbers and lighter condition than usual ; 

 biTt the relief came mainly from care in feeding, avoidance of waste, 

 and the use of coarse feeding material, so abundant at all times, and 

 generally so little utilized. Some credit should be given, however, to 

 in^ovidential mildness of the winter, whicli reduced the consumption of 

 fodder, and in some northern latitudes permitted an unaccustomed bite 

 of grass. The past season has furnished new evidences of the capacity 

 of this country as a meat-producer, and the extent of its feeding re- 

 sources ordinarily wasted; especially has it illustrated the surpassing 

 value of our corn crop. 



The returns relative to condition of farm animals bear a remarkable 



