296 
/ . 
’ 
On the other hand, the Gulf States all declined, except Louisiana, 
which shows a very considerable advance upon the low condition of 
August. Alabama and Texas are still above average, but do not attain 
the high figures previously reported. Florida and Mississippi show a 
slight decline. Drought in some counties and excessive rain in others 
reduced the*condition of the crop, but there are numerous congratula- 
tions from our correspondents in the Gulf States on having raised the 
best crop since the war. A larger number of counties than ever before 
report a production fully equal to the home demand, with a marked 
reduction of local prices. -An increased acreage gives greater effect to 
improved conditions, and the people are encouraged with the hope that 
this region will soon raise all the corn needed for home consumption. 
A few unimportant insect-depredations are noted. 
All of the Southern inland States are above average, and all have im- 
proved during August. Local droughts or flooding rains are reported 
and, in a few counties, injuries from bud-worms, wire-worms, and 
chinches. One or two of our correspondents justly criticise the slovenly 
Systems of culture followed by many of their neighbors. The general 
indications point to an abundant yield and low prices. In Washington, 
Arkansas, corn was selling at 74 and 8 cents per bushel on the stalk. 
North of the Ohio River all the States report an improved condition at 
end of August except Michigan. Ohio and Wisconsin are above aver- 
age, while the great corn-regions of Indiana and Illinois show a gratify- 
ing improvement, greatly reducing the decline apprehended at the close 
of July. During that month drought and excessive rains had prevailed 
over alternate zones of the corn-region, the former partially paralyzing 
vegetation and the latter preventing cultivation and causing the fields 
to be overrun with weeds. -Where drought prevailed, bottom-crops were 
the best, but with excessive rains, rolling uplands had the advantage. 
Insect depredations were on a smaller scale than usual; those old ene- 
mies of the farmer, the chinches, appeared in a few counties, but too late to 
do seriousinjury tothe corn-crop. East of Lake Michigan heavy rains were 
the common topic of complaint, and it was noticed in several counties 
that sandy rolling lands produced the best crops. Frost also injured 
some lowland crops, and in one or two cases extreme heat and drought 
are alleged as causes of decline. West of Lake Michigan the feeling of 
our correspondents is more jubliant over a fine promise of the crop, the 
average condition of Wisconsin being 11 percent. above average, an im- 
provement of 10 per cent. during August. 
Between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, Minnesota maintains her 
August average in spite of the ravages of grasshoppers in her western . 
counties, while [owa and Missouri report an improved condition. West 
of the Missonri, Kansas advanced to 6 per cent. above average. The 
grasshoppers came too late to do much injury in this State, but in Ne- 
braska they reduced the very superior condition at the close of July to 
one below average at the close of August. 
On the Pacific coast the condition of the crop improved at least 5 
per cent. during August. Frost and low temperatures injured the plants 
in some counties. 
MAINE.— Piscataquis : Severe drought, but corn is too far advanced to be injured by 
it. York: Ripening prematurely on account of the drought. Franklin: Late plant- 
ings injured by drought. Waldo: Never better. Cumberland: Injured by drought. 
New HampsHire.—Cheshire: Too dry for corn. Carroll: Upland crops injured by 
drought. 
Vrermont.— Franklin : Injured on sandy soils by drought; prematurely ripened. 
Grand Isle : Injured by drought. Rutland; Suffered from drought. Windsor: Drought. 
Orleans: Well-ripened and fine. 
ao 
