The average condition of barley is 69.8 against 76.8, being 

 a decline of 7 points since last month, as a result of the con- 

 tinued drought. 



The acreage of buckwheat is reported at 96.8 as com- 

 pared with last year. The condition is 82.3 as against 88.8 

 last year. There has been an increase of acreage in the 

 Eastern States, while in the States of the Mississippi and 

 Ohio valleys there has been a decrease. 



The hay area shows a reduction of 7.6 per cent as com- 

 pared with that of last year, and the average condition, 

 which is 24.6 per cent below normal, indicates a compara- 

 tively low rate of yield. The hay harvested seems, how- 

 ever, to be generally of good quality, while much of it is 

 excellent. 



The returns for clover indicate less than three-fourths 

 of a normal yield, the general average being only 71.2. 

 Drought and heat have been the chief causes of the shortage, 

 although winter-killing, spring frosts and the ravages of 

 insects have contributed to the result. The quality is far 

 more satisfactory, the general average being 90.2. 



Severe and widespread drought has further reduced the 

 condition of pastures, and the general average of condition 

 is only 66 as compared with 88.2 a month ago. 



The returns for August make the condition of potatoes 74 

 per cent, which is the lowest condition ever reported by this 

 office. The decline from July condition is 18.3 per cent. 



The averaoe condition of tobacco on Auo^ust 1 was 74.9 

 against 81 July 1. 



A further decline of nearly 4 points in the average con- 

 dition of apples is shown, the percentage standing at 44 

 against 47 last month. The drop has been severe and aggra- 

 vated by drought in many sections. The condition of 

 peaches now stands at the extremely low figure, 22.3. The 

 loss has been general in States that had the best prospects as 

 well as in those having outlook for lighter yields. The con- 

 dition of grapes is lower than the August condition for any 

 3'ear since 1890. 



The condition of cotton is good, the average for August 

 being 91.8 against 80.4 in August 1893 ; 82.3 in 1892 and 

 88.9 in 1891. 



