drought have been still more extensive, while in many cases 

 there has been a combination of the two causes. There are 

 also many complaints of rust, blight, and the depredations 

 of insects. 



The average condition of barley has declined about 6 points 

 and on July 1, was 76.8 against 88.8 last year. California, 

 the principal barley State, reports the low condition of 60 

 and Iowa a condition of G6, while in Wisconsin and Minne- 

 sota the crop is in very good condition. With the recent 

 rains there has been a beginning of improvement. 



The condition of winter rye on July 1 was 93.9, of spring 

 rye, 81.7 ; and of all rye, 87. The condition June 1 was 

 93.2. On July 1, 1893, condition of rye was : winter, 83.8 ; 

 spring, 89 ; all rye, 85.3. 



The acreage of potatoes is returned as 105.1 of last year's 

 acreage. Twenty-eight States report an increase in the area 

 planted, and nine others an area equal to that of last year. 

 Nebraska is the only State of large production showing a 

 decrease in breadth planted. Among the chief causes of the 

 increase in acreage is the extremely low price of cereals pre- 

 vailing during the past twelve months. The average con- 

 dition stands at 92.3, as against 94.8 and 90 in 1893 and 

 1892, respectively. Serious damage from drought is re- 

 ported in numerous localities. 



The area under tobacco is only 74.4 per cent of last year, 

 and the average condition is 81 against 93 last year. The 

 principal reasons for the reduction of area were scarcity of 

 plants, unfavorable weather at planting time, and the low 

 price of tobacco. Drought and injury from frosts are the 

 principal causes of the reduced condition. 



The average condition of rice declined 6 points between 

 June 1 and July 1. 



The average condition of apples for the whole country is 

 down to 47.6 per cent, denoting a meagre crop. New 

 England, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, 

 the Mountain and Pacific States show conditions pointing to 

 a crop ranging from fair to good, but in most of these the 

 fruit is dropping badly, and a further reduction of the per- 

 centages is looked for. A few other States follow these 

 with the possibility of a half crop, while in the remainder 

 the present condition is very low. 



