The acreage of Irish potatoes is 93.7 of that of last year, 

 the acreage last year being 107.9 per cent of that of the pre- 

 ceding year. The condition is reported as 99, as against 

 91.5 last year. The crop is poor in most of the southern 

 States, owing to drought, and on the Pacific coast. 



The oat crop has a condition of 96.3, as compared with 

 83.2 last year, and is especially fine in the chief oat-produc- 

 ing States. The poorer conditions are in the southern States. 

 The returns relative to the fleeces sheared in the fall of 

 1895 and the spring of 1896 make the average weight for 

 the country 5.7 pounds. In 1893 and 1894 the average 

 stood at 5.3 pounds, and in 1895 at 5.6 pounds. Present 

 reports sustain the conclusion made in previous years that 

 sheep are undergoing improvement, due to better selection 

 and breeding. 



The average condition of clover July 1 was 83.7, against 

 88.4 on June 1 and 73.9 a year ago. In general, newly 

 sown clover has fared best, but in some cases it has suflered 

 considerably from grasshoppers. Drought is the most com- 

 mon ground of complaint and next in order the effect of a 

 hard winter. 



The average condition of timothy is 84.5, against 70.8 

 one year and 77.3 two years ago. There are complaints of 

 drought from a considerable number of localities, though 

 often in the case of old meadows it is the effects of drought 

 last year. Winter-killing, late frosts, hail and grasshoppers 

 are other causes of injury. 



The general average for the condition of pastures fell dur- 

 ing June from 94.5 to 91, but it is still 12.3 points higher 

 than last year. Where the condition is low drought is the 

 usual cause. There are a few complaints of the army worm. 

 The condition of apples declined from 71 to 64.6 during 

 June. Prospects for excellent crops still continue in New 

 England, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Iowa. In 

 other parts of the country the condition is far below the 

 average. 



Taking the country at large the peach crop promises to be 

 one of medium proportions. During the past month a fall 

 of 12.9 points has taken place, leaving the general average 

 at 51.8. 



The average condition of rice in 82.9, against 84.4 last 



