387 



REPORTS ON FOREIGN CROPS. 

 Crops in the United States. 



The October and November reports of the Statistician of 

 the Department of Agriculture of the United States contain 

 the preliminary estimates of the results of the past harvest in 

 that country. The quantities are shown in Winchester 

 bushels. With regard, however, to the wheat crop, 

 the estimated yield is withheld pending the result of an 

 investigation into the acreage and production of that cereal 

 in the United States, which is now approaching completion.* 



The preliminary estimate of the yield per acre of oat^ was 

 .28' 1 bushels on an estimated acreage of 25,719,000 acres. 

 This would indicate a total yield of 722,704,000 bushels, 

 compared with a production of 707,346,000 bushels in 1896. 

 The final estimate of the yield of oats per acre last year was 

 25-7 bushels. 



The preliminary returns show an average yield per acre of 

 rye of 16*1 bushels, or a total estimated production of 

 .27,418,000 bushels, as compared with 24,369,000 bushels in 

 1896. 



With regard to barley, the crop is estimated to produce 

 66,665,000 bushels, being an average of 24*5 bushels on an 

 acreage of 2,721,000 acres. The final yield last year was put 

 at 69,695,000 bushels. 



Maize is not expected to reach the high figure of 1896, but 

 is returned as yielding 237 bushels per acre, which is 3-6 

 bushels less than last year. 



Potatoes have yielded 64-6 bushels against 86' 8 in 1896. 



* In a late report issued by the United States Department of Agriculture on 

 December 13th it is stated that the special investigation instituted by the Department 

 indicates a v. heat crop of 530,000.000 bushels. 



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