The average condition of cotton was 68.5, as compared 

 with 84 last month, 79.8 last year, 78.3 in 1897, and 78.4, 

 the mean of the September averages for the last ten years. 

 The serious decline in condition is mainly the result of the 

 long-continued drought. 



No average condition for the entire country can be estab- 

 lished for tobacco, but there was a general improvement in 

 condition during August in most of the important tobacco- 

 growing States. 



The average condition of potatoes was 86.3. This shows 

 a decline of 6.7 points during the month, but the condition 

 is still 8.6 points higher than last year, 19.6 points higher 

 than in 1897, and 9.3 points above the mean of the Septem- 

 ber averages of the last ten years. 



The acreage devoted to clover seed is considerably less 

 than last year and the condition in the main unfavorable. 



There was an improvement of 5 points during the month 

 in the condition of sugar cane in Louisiana, with practically 

 no change in other States. 



There has been a decline since the last report in the con- 

 dition of rice, except in Florida and Mississippi, where there 

 has been a gain of 28 and 18 points respectively. 



The former unfavorable reports on the apple crop have 

 been more than verified by subsequent developments, there 

 having been a loss in condition during August in all the 

 principal apple States, with the exception of Indiana. 



Although no quantitative estimate of the total production 

 of peaches can be made, it is obvious that the peach crop of 

 1899 has been one of the smallest on record. Of the really 

 important peach-growing States, California alone reports a 

 good crop. 



In the north Atlantic States the grape crop is considerably 

 above the ten-year average ; in the south, in the central 

 Mississippi valley and on the Pacific slope it is less satis- 

 factory. 



The number of stock hogs for fattening is estimated at 

 7.9 per cent less than on September 1 of last year. The 

 condition is 95.9, which is 0.2 points below last year but 

 1.6 points above the mean of the September averages of the 

 last ten years. 



