corresponding date in 1903, 89.7 in 1902, and a ten-A^ear 

 August averao-e of 81.2. Rust liad made its appearance in 

 some counties, but it was too early to estimate definitely the 

 extent of damage from it. 



The average condition of the oat crop on August 1 was 

 86.6, as compared with 89.8 a month earlier, 79.5 in 1903, 

 89.4 in 1902, and a ten-year August average of 82.7. The 

 proportion of the oat cro}) of last year still in the hands 

 of farmers was estimated at 5.4 per cent, as compared with 

 7.4 per cent of the crop of 1902 in farmers' hands at the 

 corresponding date in 1903, 4.2 per cent of the crop of 

 1901 in farmers' hands two years ago, and a nine-year aver- 

 age of 7.4 per cent. 



The average condition of barley was 91.8, as compared 

 with 90.8 a month earlier, 87.2 in 1903, 90.5 in 1902, and 

 a ten-3'ear average of 86.2. 



The acreage of buckwheat is less than that of last year by 

 about 10,800 acres, or 1.3 per cent. The average condi- 

 tion of buckwheat on August 1 was 92.8, as compared with 

 93.9 in 1903, 91.4 in 1902, and a ten-year average of 90.3. 



The average condition of flax on August 1 was 78.9, as 

 compared with 86.6 a month earlier, and 80.3 on August 1, 

 1903. 



The average condition of tobacco was 83.9, as compared 

 with 85.3 a month earher, 82.9 on August 1, 1903, and a 

 five-year average of 81.1. 



The average condition of potatoes was 94.1, as compared 

 with 93.9 a month earlier, 87.2 on August 1, 1903, 94,8 at 

 the corresponding date in 1902, and a ten-year average of 

 84.6. 



Preliminary returns indicated an increase of 0.2 per cent 

 in the hay acreage. The average condition of timothy hay 

 on August 1 was 94, as compared Avith 92.2 in 1903, 90 in 

 1902, and a nine-year average of 85. Reports as to the 

 production of clover indicated that nearly a full crop will be 

 harvested. In point of quality the crop of clover is well up 

 to highest medium grade. 



The average condition of pasture August 1 was 95.5, as 

 compared with 95.8 a month earlier, 94.9 on August 1, 



