The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-11-06
THE CROPS OF THE WHOLE COUN-
TRV

Hon Isaac Newton. Commissioner of A9ri-
culture, has prepared his report for the month
of October, from which the following extracts
are taken:
The returns of local correspondents up to the
first day of October verify in all essential par
tieulars the statements respecting the crops con-
tanned in previous monthly exhibits.
The condition of has suffered some de-
terioration from early frosts and excessive rains
but the quantity of the crop is larger than the
largest ever previously chronicled IN the eoun-
try. A final summary of It's amount and quail
~ will be given in the next report.
In the production of wheat next to corn our
most important cereal, our agriculture has been
unfortunate for the past three seasons. The
crops of 1862 and 1868 in the North were good,
and exhibited gratifying increase as compared
with the crop of 1859. The year 1861 wit
messed slightly diminished product, followed
by further elimination In 1865, in quantity as
well as 10 quality. Lest misapprehensions of
the extent Of this decreased supply should pre-
vail, the returns and estimates OF these years
should be viewed in group:
Bushels
Tn 1859 l32,934,7S2
In 1868 l79,4O4,036
In 1864 l6O,694,S23
1865 las, 1922 1929
The estimate for the present year, now nearly
complete. will not vary much from l43, OOU,U OO
bushels, showing per centage OF decrease
which is fully compensated by the comparative
iy superior quality of the grain, as was predict
cd in preceding number. This is ten millions
of bushels more than the crop of 1859, and is
within five millions Of product 10 proportion
to the increased population.
The diminution in the South is more appa-
rent. The estimates point to less than seven
teen millions of bushels in the eleven States
hitherto unreported-a fraction less than five
tenths of the crop Of 1859.
1t is worthy of remark, in connection with
the diminution of the three past seasons, that
the wheat crop of England has been likewise
deficient since 1861.
The California wheat harvest, of which little
mention has been publicly made in connection
with the present crop, is excessive. In 1850
the product of this young State nearly six
millions of bushels. Now it is seriously claimed
by leading California aericulturists that the sur
plus for export will be double that quantity.
1t is evident that the entire wheat crop will
exceed by several millions, that of 1850, when
the yield was reported at l73, l04 ,924 bushels.
Then there were five and half bushels to each
individual; in 1866 the estimates point to FIVE
bushels to each inhabitant. There is no ground
then, for approximations of scarcity, and little ex
cnse, in the amount Of the crop, for starvation
prices
The yield of oats is extraordinary, and the
quality excellent. The indications point to an
increase from 1491 ,072 bushels in 1852 to
71,9l2,695 in 1866. 1t is the only crop in
the South That maintains an equality with its
last census report.
Hay is less in quantity than in the previous
year by froul one to two-tentEs, but is better in
quality.
An analysis of the Southern returns up to o.
tober LIST do not warrant a reduction of the for
mer cotton estimate much below one and three
fourths millions Of bales, though it is too early
for final estimates. Increasing severity Of dam
ages from insects is reported.