32 



CROP PKOSPECTS ABROAD. 



[Sept. 1894. 



average, though other causes have contributed to the reduced 

 condition in various districts. 



The average per-centage condition of apples was reported on 

 August 1st as only 44, denoting a very meagre crop. In a few 

 localities the conditions pointed to a crop ranging from fair to 

 good ; but in most of these the fruit was said to be dropping 

 badly, and a further reduction of the per-centage was expected. 

 In a few States there were prospects of half a crop, but in the 

 remainder, many of them States of large production, the per- 

 centages were so low as to leave no doubt of the failure of the 

 crop within their respective boundaries. 



The outlook for peaches pointed to a practical failure of this 

 crop, the average condition for the whole country being but 

 22*3 per cent. On August 1st, in California, however, the peach 

 crop was reported to be in tine condition. 



As regards the wool clip, the returns indicated on July 1st 

 an average weight per fleece of 5*33 lbs., as against 5'3 lbs. 

 last year. The variation by States is considerable, ranging from 

 24 lbs. per fleece in Alabama to 7 J lbs. in South Dakota. The 

 chief causes of this diflerence were reported to be varying 

 climatic conditions, and diflerent degrees of care bestowed on 

 the stock, as well as the keeping of widely varying grades of 

 animals, from the highest grade blooded stock down to the 

 common native breed. 



Crop Prospects in Ontario. 



The Ontario Department of Agriculture issued, on J une 22nd, 

 a bulletin on the condition of crops in that province. The 

 report stated that the fall wheat crop had stood the heavy 

 rains and changes of weather much better than the spring crops. 

 Throughout the entire province some low lands had been flooded 

 and the crop drowned out. On very heavy clays there had 

 been some damage, but on light and loamy soils very little 

 injury had resulted. The reports from all parts of the province 

 were practically to the same eflect, viz., that after the rain, the 

 wheat soon recovered, and showed less injury than had been 

 supposed. No more than usual had been ploughed up and 

 resown. Heading out was in progress on the 15th June. In 

 some places the growth was quite rank. With a continuance of 

 favourable weather a good crop of fall wheat was expected ; 

 at the date of the report the conditions promised an average 

 yield. 



As regards spring wheat, the low-lying lands were reported 

 to have suffered severely, but the higher lands had fair crops. 

 The grain had been sown in fine condition, and was recovering 



