average for the past ten years, and is, with one exception, 

 the highest since 1889. 



The average condition of barley is 85.7, which is 6.9 

 points higher than last month, but is 2.8 points lower than 

 on .July 1 last year and 3.1 below the July average for the 

 past ten years. 



The average condition of winter rye is 93.8, as against 

 95 at the corresponding date last year, 83.8 on July 1, 1896, 

 and 90.6, the July average for the past ten years. The 

 average condition of spring rye is 96.9, as against 90 on 

 July 1, 1897, and 90.6, the Jul}"^ average for the last ten 

 years. 



There is an increase of 1.3 per cent in the acreage of 

 Irish potatoes. The average condition of Irish potatoes, 

 95.5, is 7.7 points higher than at the corresponding date 

 last year and 2.2 points above the ten-year average. 



The acreage of sweet potatoes is about as last year, and 

 the average of condition in the States of principal produc- 

 tion is 91.2. 



The average condition of cotton is 91.2, against 89 last 

 month, 86 on July 1, 1897, and 92.5 on eluly 1, 1896. 



The condition of tobacco in New York, Maryland, Virginia, 

 Tennessee, Ohio, Wisconsin and Missouri exceeds the ten- 

 year average, while the conditions for Connecticut, Massachu- 

 setts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana are somewhat 

 below it. 



The reports as to forage crops are, with few exceptions, 

 exceedingly favorable. The reports for timothy hay and 

 clover are generally far above the ten-year average. Past- 

 ures are also generally in most excellent condition. 



The outlook for the apple crop is very discouraging. 

 Eleven of the fourteen principal apple-growing States report 

 even a lower average condition than at the corresponding 

 date last year. 



With a few notable exceptions indications as to the peach 

 crop are somewhat unfavorable. 



In Massachusetts the acreage of corn compared with last 

 year is 99 and the average condition July 1 is 90 ; the 

 average condition of oats 94 ; the average condition of 

 barley 99 ; the average condition of spring rye 98 ; the acre- 



