ce Rte, & q ve exe aye: Pg Vive 6 = Ae oe : 
9 * Sa . 4 ; a ee 21 
S "? : : 
Bey iz. Nae ; IRISH POTATOES. 
The crop of 1887 was unfortunate fromthe start. Disaster attended 
it during its season of growth. New England alone gave promise of 
_' REPORT OF THE STATISTICIANt hy ae 
a fair crop early in the season, which was succeeded by unfavorable . 
conditions and disappointment. 
» In the States west of the Alleghany Mountains the crop year opened 
most unfavorably, drought prevailing over a large part of the area, 
interfering with germination and retarding growth. The drought 
continued generally unbroken until the season was too far advanced — 
to make more than a fraction of a crop possible. Inthe Kastern and 
Middle States prospects were favorable for a good crop until August, 
when excessive moisture was followed by a tendency to rot, and con- 
dition steadily declined. 
The area of potatoes was enlarged, the preliminary estimate show- 
ing more than 2,300,000 acres. The increase was largest in the more 
western States, though considerable m the older States, where the 
previous crop had proved more profitable than the cereals. The 
‘preliminary estimate was 134,000,000 bushels in round numbers, the 
figures being subject to slight modification in the final record by 
States. The record of eight years is: 
: ( i 
Year. | Acres. ' Per acre. | Product. 
tie co Z ; | Bushels. _ Bushels. 
SRE i on 8 ol SE dle Oe SO RES le ' 1,842,510 91.0) 167, 659, 570 
MERA 9255 ois atch us 3 BY As abot eal eid Ace ect teloT .45 a a | 2,041,670 | 53.5 | 109,145,494 
| aaa 2g et ea RR ate SR a Ey ED ae 2) 171, 636 | 78.7 | 170,972,508 
Se Sains ORG 1S a ORIN STE Fie eo SP | 2) 89, 275 | 91.0 | 208) 164.425 
MEER ee Rone Boa es Ae adsaaen hie bixces chs 0 2! 220; 980 85.8 | 190, 642, 000 
Entel BR 5 Pa NE UR Aa i eg ot i 2) 265, 823 97.2 | 175,029, 000 
TR Ue pecle gin ed Es RAL Bre 14 AA Be ake ae ee Cg) ne 2, 287, 136 | 7B.5-| 168,051, 000 
aS Re SE Og RIN ale See ERENT, 0a ie Oe | #2, 300,000 |..-..--..+-+! 134, 000, 000 
* Approximate. 
The crop of 1879, according to the census of 1880, amounted to 
169,458,539 bushels, of which six States, New York, Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois produced 56 per cent. The 
crop of these States was last year reduced nearly one-half. 
\ Diagram E illustrates the progress of potato growing, showing the 
area by superficial measurement, and the effect of relative supply 
upon market price by linear exhibits. 
FLAX. 
Flax growing is one of the minor agricultural industries, and while 
the production of seed, for which it is almost entirely grown, varies 
from year to year in different localities, the total product is but little 
changed. In order to determine approximately its present. extent, 
and the areas where it is now grown, the Department has made a 
thorough investigation, and presents its results in connection with 
statements showing commercial distribution and supply. 
It is essentially a pioneer crop and has never been long popular in 
any one locality. For new land, brought under the plow for the first 
time, it is almost unequaled as a crop for subduing the natural wild- 
ness of the land, and being, like wheat, a ready money crop, it is for 
a time in high favor with poineer settlers. The center of production 
| follows westward the frontier line of farming lands, its cultivation 
‘in the older regions gradually giving way to other and more perma- 
~ 
