453 
Cecil, Maryland, immensely damaged by the storm of September 17; 
and in Clay, Missouri, the yield was diminished by injuries to the vines 
by grasshoppers the previous season. Sonoma, California, reports that 
the abundance of the crop reduces the price so low as to leave no matr- 
gin for profit; native varieties of fine wine-grapes selling at $8 to $10, 
and foreign varieties at $12, per ton; choice table-grapes at 14 cents per 
pound, and very choice, packed with extra care for the eastern market, 
at 2 cents. 
WINTER-WHEAT. 
ACREAGE.—Our December returns indicate that the acreage in winter- 
wheat has been increased about 5 per cent. over that of the previous 
year. The small area sown in the New England States is fully main- 
tained, and some additions were expected to be made after our returns 
were sent in, as in some counties it is customary to delay sowing this 
grain till just before freezing. Allof the Middle States return an acreage 
equal to that of last year, except New York, which loses 8 per cent. 
The South Atlantic coast States report a considerable increase, a small 
deficiency in Georgia being overcome by a marked increase in North 
Carolina and South Carolina. In the Gulf States, Alabama and Missis- 
sippi report an increase which overbalances the decline in Texas. Florida 
and Louisiana grow but insignificant crops. The inland Southern States 
all report an increased acreage. North of the Ohio River, Michigan and 
Wisconsin report a decrease of wheat-acreage, but the other States 
report increased breadths, enlarging the acreage of this section about 
3 per cent. West of the Mississippi River, Missouri enlarges her acre- 
age at least a third, Kansas one-eighth, and Nebraska nearly a half. 
The Pacific States also report a large increase. 
ConDITION.—The condition of the crop appears from the returns to 
be about 10 per cent. above average on the whole. The Atlantic slope, 
from Maryland northward, enjoyed very favorable conditions of seeding 
and growth, though the Hessian fly has done considerable damage in 
several counties of Pennsylvania, especially in early-sown wheat. Later- 
sown crops give greater satisfaction. With the exception of South 
Carolina, the South Atlantic and the Gulf States are below average. 
Drought retarded both the sowing and the growth of the crop in 
many counties, while in others the fear of Hessian flies and grass- 
hoppers caused the sowing to be delayed as long as possible. Injuries 
by grasshoppers are reported in several counties of Texas. A depressed 
condition is also noted in Arkansas and Tennessee, the latter being 
10 per cent. below average. Grasshoppers are complained of in a few 
cases, but drought was a more general cause of disaster. West Vir- 
ginia and Kentucky show a superior condition, though seeding was 
somewhat late on account of drought. All the States north of the Ohio 
River report a superior condition, especially Ohio and Indiana, which 
enjoyed remarkably fine conditions for seeding and growth. The Hes- 
sian fly appeared in a few very early sowings, but its ravages were com- 
paratively harmless. In several localities of Illinois and Wisconsin, the 
wheat appears to be better rooted than usual and better prepared to 
resist the trying fluctuations of winter in those States. West of the 
Mississippi River, Minnesota and Iowa report a condition slightly above 
average, while the other States of this region are considerably deficient. 
Grasshoppers were very destructive at many points, necessitating a 
resowing of the crop. Wheat sown late to avoid this pest has started 
very imperfectly. In California, good rains during October facilitated 
plowing and wheat-seeding, causing a considerable enlargement of acre- 
