238 
Corn.—The acreage in corn is unusually large, every State showing a ma- 
terial increase, except Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and South Carolina. 
In the southern States the increase ranges upwards to 102 per cent., as in Ar- 
kansas. The condition, as reported, is a little deficient in the northern and 
western States, on account of the lateness of the spring. With the continu- 
ance of the present weather there is ample opportunity to make up the entire 
deficiency, in which case the yield will be unprecedented. 
Rye—A glance at the tables will show the fine condition of this grain, and 
the remarkable uniformity of the improvement. ’ 
Barley—The condition of this grain promises an increase of from ten to 
twenty per cent., in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 
West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana, and 42 per cent. in Ohio. Most of the 
other States show some increase. 
Oats.—The condition of oats points to a full average in the West, particularly 
in Wisconsin and Minnesota, also in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, 
New Jersey, and the South; slightly less than last year in Maine, Vermont, 
New York, and Kentucky. 
Pastures and hay.—These crops are almost universally large. from an average 
up to 15, 20, and even 30 per cent. above. 
Potatoes.—The report of acreage of potatoes indicates a larger area planted 
in every State, except Maine and New York. ‘The condition is also above an 
average with a few exceptions, among which are New York, Ohio, and Indiana. 
Fruits——Peaches are so exceptional in their successful seasons and localities 
that estimates for States can scareely be made with accuracy. New Jersey, as 
indicated by very general returns, shows 63 per cent. improvement over last 
year; Maryland 25; Delaware 150; Virginia 35; Michigan 127. In other 
States estimates are given upon whatever data was received, generally show- 
ing a considerable increase over last year. Apples are promising in portions of 
New England, the Alleghany region, and the West. Grapes are more uniform 
in averages of States, generally appearing unusually well. It has been a more 
successful year for strawberries than usual, as a study of the tables will show. 
Sorghum.—The sorghum crop is generally returned in comparatively poor 
condition, with lower figures than any other crop. Ohio and Indiana indicate 
a deficiency in acreage of 14 per cent., and in condition of 10 percent. All the 
principal sorghum-growing States show a similar state of facts. 
Tobacco is much like sorghum, manifesting a decline in acreage and gene- 
rally in condition. 
Cotton.—There is an increase of acreage in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, 
and Arkansas. Texas, 10.1; Mississippi, 9.4; Louisiana, 8.1. The average is 
about the same as last year. There is a slight difference, as reported, in favor 
of the present crop. The department estimates made last October, of 1,835,000 
bales, proved to be singularly accurate for approximate calculations of so early 
a date, though they were severely criticised by northern and southern speculators, 
some of whom publicly acknowledged their error after the crop was sold. It is 
too early to predict the successful avoidance of all the numerous enemies of cotton. 
Had the last crop been a good one it would have yielded 2,500,000 bales; a very 
good one would have realized 3,000,000. Such results are possible this year. 
Wool—An examination of this item of the tables will show that losses of 
sheep, unthrifty condition, and a wet spring have had an influence both upon 
numbers and weight of fleece, and will lead to the conclusion that our wool clip 
of the present year is not materially larger than that of last year. 
