EXPLAXATIOX OF THE FOREGOING TABLES. 



The foregoing tables are expressed in tentlis. The number ten (10) represents 

 the standard of an ordinary fair crop, or the amount or condition of a crop of a 

 certain year stated in the question. It represents also the injury which the crop 

 may have received. One-tenth of an increase in amount, or condition is ex- 

 pressed by 11 ; two-tenths of such an increase by 12; and so like decreases 

 are shown by the figures 9 and 8. A brief reference to the first line of figures 

 in the first table will enable the reader more clearly to read the table. 



Maine. The average amount of winter wheat harvested, compared with the 

 crop of 1863, is 9, that is, one-tenth less. The injury to the crop is 8, or two- 

 tenths. The oat crop of the same State in condition is stated to be 6^, or 3| 

 tenths below an average crop in appearance in July. The injury is the same. 



A general idea in this way is shown of the state of the crops, but to form one 

 that closer approximates to its true condition, a knowledge of the amount of 

 each crop usually grown by a State, is necessary, so f;ir as to be able to classify 

 the States into large, moderate, or small producing States of any particular crop. 

 Thus, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kew York, and Wisconsin, are large 

 wheat- growing States, producing from fourteen to twenty millions of bushels of 

 Avheat annually. Ohio and Illinois arc very large growers, yielding ov^er thirty 

 millions of bushels. The other States range from ten millions down to about three 

 hundred thousand. Hence, to estimate the gain or loss of any crop, a table of com- 

 parison must be made, and this the department does in October, for at that time 

 the final returns of the summer crops are obtained. In every stage of the crop, 

 it is reported. The amount of winter wheat sown is first inquired after ; then 

 its appearance in the fall ; then its condition in the winter ; then the amount 

 destroyed by freezing out during the winter, and its growing condition in March 

 and May ; then its condition and amount when harvested ; and lastly its yield 

 when threshed out. For often wheat threshes out much better or much worse 

 than anticipated. "When all these returns are received, they are carefully com- 

 pared, and the tables based on this examination and comparison. The next bi- 

 monthly report will contain full and comparative tables of the yield of the crops 

 for the years 1862, 1863, and 1864. The extent of the August rains will then 

 be fully known, and their effect on the fall crops. 



A general examination of these tables will show that the crops have been 

 seriously damaged by drought, especially the fall crops ; but these will be much 

 improved by the rains of this month. The injury to spring wheat in AVis- 

 consin and Iowa, where it is largely grown, is considerable, on account of the 

 destruction by the chinch-bug. But in Illinois it is an imusually good crop. 



Whilst the table should admonish us to exercise economy, there is no occa- 

 sion for alarm. The next bi-monthly report will be prepared with such care as 

 will make its estimates worthy of general reliance. 



The weeks of weather, as reported above, foot up as follows : 



Jime. Favorable, 441; dry, 1,138; very dry, 0; wet, 72; very wet, 0. 



July. Favorable, 415; dry, 1,236; very dry, 0; wet, 68; very wet, 0. 



