382 



REPOKT OP THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



{Medicago sativa) is increasing rapidly, witli many striking and 

 cheering results. The recent record of hay stands: 



TOBACCO. 



The tobacco crop of 1886 was one of medium production, not yet 

 fully determined as to quantity, but approaching nearly to 500,000,- 

 000 pounds, and furnishing a supply equal to the wants of consump- 

 tion and exportation. The rate of yield is not far from an average 

 of 700 pounds per acre. The previous record reads: 



COTTON. 



The area of cotton increased rapidly till 1860, when the acreage was 

 probably about 12,000,000 acres. From 1861 to 1805 very little cotton 

 was grown. The breadth in 1870 was not far from 7,000,000 acres. 

 Extension has since been constant though unequal, and there is now 

 in cultivation 50 per cent, more than in 1800. 



Comparing production since 1805 with that of twenty years prior 

 to 1801, the annual crop has increased more than 50 per cent. Seven- 

 tenths of all was exported in the former period; in the latter, not- 

 withstanding the enlargement of the product, less than two-thirds. 



The season of 1880 was not a very favorable one for large produc- 

 tion, especially that of planting and cultivation. The fine autumn 

 did much to make amends for the misfortunes of the spring and 



