than the preliminary estimate for 1895. The indicated qual- 

 ity for the country at large is 84.4 per cent against 85.7 last 

 year. The crop is generally short in quantity and poor in 

 quality, and it is worst in the great central region. 



Cotton shows a decline of 3.5 points from the September 

 condition, which was 64.2 per cent against 60.7 this month. 

 Little or no top crop Avill be gathered in any of the States 

 east of the Mississippi River. The crop will all be gathered 

 by November 1. 



Preliminary reports show a yield of 24.3 bushels of oats 

 per acre, against 29.6 a year ago. Returns as to quality 

 indicate a general average of 74.9. The average yield of 

 rye indicated by the preliminary returns is 13.3 bushels per 

 acre, against 14.4 bushels in 1895. The average for quality 

 is 89.9, a loss of 2.5 points from that of a year ago. 



The returns of yield per acre indicate an average yield 

 of barley of 25.6 bushels, against 26.4 a year ago. The 

 general average of quality is 79.4, against 91.5 last year. 

 The crop is badly discolored in many localities, owing to 

 heavy rains and hot winds. 



The condition of buckwheat is 1.2 points above that of 

 1895 at this date, being 86, against 84.8 a year ago. 



The general condition of Irish potatoes declined from 83.2 

 to 81.7 during September, as against 87.4 last year. The 

 crop promises to be one of larger volume than usual, not- 

 withstanding a small reduction in area reported in the pre- 

 liminary returns made in July. A feature of the present 

 outlook, encouraging to the producer, is the prospective 

 shortage of the European crop, which will probably cause 

 an increased demand for the export trade. 



On the whole, sweet potatoes are in much better shape 

 than in October, 1895. 



The general condition of tobacco shows a decided filling 

 off during September, the percentage,. 76.9, being 4.6 points 

 below that of the previous month. The crop is practically 

 all housed at the time of this report and generally escaped 

 frosting. 



A further and general decline of sugar cane is shown by 

 October returns. In Louisiana, the chief producing State, 

 only about half a crop is indicated. 



