412 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Oats, 1835 — Continued. 



OTHEE CEEEALS. 



Eye suffered from winter killing, though less than wheat, making an 

 average of 83 in June, which improved to 87 at harvest, when a crop 

 somewhat below tlie usual yield was secured. The spring crops were 

 more promising. The June average for barley was 89, July 92, but the 

 average reported at harvesting was 88, which was nine points lower than 

 the harvest report of the previous crop. Buckwheat was increased in 

 breadth and enjoyed favorable conditions, producing a fair yield on a 

 large area, the October report of condition being 92. 



POTATOES. 



The early prospect for potatoes was fine. Condition in July averaged 

 97. In moist lands in the Northern and Western States there was some 

 complaint of seed rotting in the hill. . A decline soon set in. The 

 August average was 95, that of September 93, while October fell to 88, 

 on account of the rot in New York and elsewhere, which increased rap- 

 idly before digging, causing tlie loss of whole fields. Excess of moist- 

 ure favored the extension of the disease. The beetle was reported in 

 all sections, especially in the Western States, but was not very de- 

 structive. A small crop is the result, with higher prices, which will be 

 still higher should the stock which is winter-stored prove unsound. 



COTTON. 



The area of cotton has been increased about 5 per cent. The total 

 area now slightly exceeds 18,000,000 acres. The tendency to extension is 

 westward, especially active beyond the Mississippi. In June, a healthy 

 jjliiiit, a good staud, cultivation somewhat retarded by rain, with condi- 

 tion at 92, were the essential features of the report. During June mate- 

 rial improvement was made, temperature and rainfall favored growth, 

 and by July 1 fruiting had commenced in the Gulf States. Local 

 (lionghts were very rare up to this date, and moisture was generally 

 ample, and in low grounds somewliat excessive. Condition was high, 

 avciagiDg 06; promising, the later season being favorable, a large crop. 

 This status continued until early in August, when shedding of forms 

 began to indicate a loss of vitality, in some places from drought, in 

 others from deluging rains, and at many points from attacks of the cat- 

 erpillar or boll-worm. A marked decline was manifest in September, 

 when the average was reduced to 87. Drt)Ught in Texas, Arkansas, 



