MONTHLY REPORT, 
STATISTICAL DIVISION, 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
Washington, D. C., October 25, 1876. 
Sir: I respectfully present for publication a digest of crop-reports for 
October; extracts from correspondence; a communication presenting a 
new plan in the preparation and marketing of cotton; paper of Mr. L. 
F. Allen upon American live stock, presented to the agricultural con- 
gress at Philadelphia; minor statistics; domestic and foreign markets, 
| &e. 
Respecifully, 
J. R. DODGE, 
Statistician. 
Hon. FREDERICK WATTS, 
Commissioner. 
DIGEST OF CROP-RETURNS. 
WHEAT. 
Our October returns indicate a reduction in the yield of the wheat- 
crop of nearly one-sixth, while the quality is somewhat superior. More 
accurate statistics may possibly be given after the results of threshing 
are more fully known. Every section of the Union indicates a reduced 
product except the Middle States, which increased about 2 per cent. 
The New England States fell off 4 per cent.; the South Atlantic States 
2 per cent.; the Gulf States 27 per cent.; the Southern inland States 
8 per cent.; the States north of the Ohio River 14 per cent. ; the States 
west of the Mississippi River 27 per cent.; the Pacific States nearly 2 
percent. These figures point to a yield of about 245,000,000 bushels. 
This, however, will be the subject of further examination and inquiry in 
our November returns. 
The condition of winter-wheat at the date of our last report before 
harvest (July 1) was about 5 per cent. below average. It had suffered 
severely from winter-killing in all the Northern States; but the con- 
ditions of the growth during the spring months were, on the whole, 
quite favorable, and still better during June. At the end of May, Mich- 
igan was the only Northern State in which winter-wheat was reported as 
of a full average condition ; but on the first of July the general improve- 
ment of the crop had brought several other States up to the same fig- 
ures. In the South Atlantic States a mild winter, followed, generally, 
by favorable spring weather, presented a condition of extraordinary 
