The tables showing the condition of various crops will be found more than 

 usually instructive. The comparative advantages of grain-sowing by the drill 

 and broadcast are clearly seen. The winter was not so unfavorable in the 

 eastern States as in the west, and hence it is in the latter section that the merits 

 of the drill are to be determined. With the fact before him, that drill-sown 

 wheat is much less injured than the broadcast, how can any farmer reconcile 

 it with his interest to continue broadcast, because he may have good crops by 

 that method in seasons when there is no freezing out 1 



Another matter of interest is the condition of the grape. It was supposed 

 that the vines had generally been destroyed in the west, but this is not the case. 

 Considerable injury has been sustained there, but a fair crop of grapes may be 

 anticipated. Kelly's island, in Lake Erie, is regarded as one of the best local- 

 ities for grape-growing in the whole country, because of its freedom from the rot, 

 and the correspondent of the Department there supposes there will be from 75 

 to 80 per cent, of a full average crop. More than one-half the fruit-buds were 

 destroyed, but by deferring the pruning until the living ones could be seen 

 nearly the usual number of living buds were retained. 



The injury to the vines presented a good opportunity for collecting facts in 

 relation to the comparative hardiness of the different varieties, and the returns 

 on this point will be of much interest to every person, for the cultm-e of the 

 grape is spreading rapidly everywhere. 



A heavy grape crop is anticipated in California, and the Mercantile Gazette, of 

 San Francisco, speaks of the fact that pipes and hogsheads are being rapidly 

 sent to Los Angeles "for the immense supply of wine anticipated from the pres- 

 ent year's vintage." 



Our reports indicate a good peach crop in the eastern States — a total failure 

 in the west. Of apples, a full crop east — a very partial crop in the west, where, 

 although there was much bloom, a large amount of it fell off without setting. 

 Of pears and cherries, there will be but few in the west, but a good crop in the 

 east; in eastern localities, however, there will be failures. Of small fruits there 

 will be a general good crop, although in places even the blackberry fruit-buds 

 were destroyed. 



The correspondence, accompanying the returns of the circular show a general 

 scarcity of labor, more especially of farm labor in the west. Nearly all of our 

 letters from that section speak of its scarcity occasioned by the recent call for the 

 100-days volunteers. This has had the effect to lessen the amount of crops sown in 

 many places, but in many others it is stated that the breadth of the crops planted 

 and sown is not less than that of last year. How this has been accomplished 

 may be seen in the following extract, one from many others that might be given 

 from letters received. A correspondent from Iowa says: 



" Farmers, with the aid of their wives and daughters, have got in as great a 

 breadth of crops as ever before, and in as good condition. Help being very 

 scarce, our patriotic women have endeavoured to do the work of their husbands, 

 and sons, and brothers in the field." 



