The acreage of buckwheat is reported at 96.3, as compared 

 with last year, with the condition standing at 88.8. 



The condition of cotton is given as 80.4, a decline of a 

 little over 2 points since last month. This is the lowest 

 average for August ever given out by the Department. The 

 present low condition is the consequence of an excess of rain 

 in the early part of the season, followed by hot, dry weather 

 during the month of July. Rust is reported in Alabama, 

 Mississippi and Tennessee, and the bollworm and caterpillar 

 have done more or less damage in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas 

 and Arkansas. 



The average condition of potatoes has declined nearly 9 

 points in the past month, and now stands at 86. This is a 

 low condition so early in the season. This decline is mostly 

 due to the general and severe drought. The yield of early 

 planted potatoes has also been lessened by the drought. 

 The Colorado beetle is partly responsible for the decline in 

 condition in some of the Western States. 



The genera] average for tobacco fell from 93 on July 1 to 

 82.2 on August 1. In two-thirds of the States in which 

 tobacco is grown to any considerable extent the averages 

 range from 85 upward ; but these States are largely out- 

 weighed in magnitude of production by the single State of 

 Kentucky, whose average is only 77, while large reduction 

 of condition is noted in Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, 

 Indiana and West Virginia. The general cause of the 

 reduced condition is drought, though recent relief has been 

 received in some sections from local rains. 



The general average condition of pastures has been reduced 

 by deficient rainfall from 94 on July 1 to 82.3 on August 1. 

 The reduction in condition has been general except in some 

 half-dozen States. In some counties in Indiana, Illinois, 

 Wisconsin and Minnesota pastures are so dry that stock 

 must be fed as in winter. 



The commercial crop of apples will certainly be very light, 

 the drop having been very severe, and a further decline in 

 condition noted in nearly every State. In many States the 

 crop may be said to be a total failure. 



The drought over the eastern portions of the country has 

 somewhat affected the prospects of the peach crop. Early 



