The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-10-29
Agricultural Report for October.

The Department Of Agriculture has
prepared digest of the reports upon the
condition of the crops for October. from
which the following is extracted
The wheat crop of 1870, in majority
OF the States, and especially in those in
which this cereal is prominent. is uater-
tally less in quantity than the crop of
1869, which was a very large one. not
withstanding the assertions Of some cid
croakers to the contrary. The reduction
is dae first to the loss of plants by an
unpropitious season for termination and
early growth Of the winter variety, fol-
lowed by an open and somewhat variable
winter; and second, to the drought
which prevailed with great severity in
Northern and Eastern States. This re-
duction, as averaged from our local re-
turns, appears to be about IA per cent.
The average quality of the crop is better
than that Of 1859.
The Pacific coast reports are variable.
Some counties in California mako the
quality superior, while others report in
jury from rust and inferiority from ma
turity of the grain blighted by drought.
The early sown fall and spring grain of
Oregon is good, while that late sown was
injured by the excessive heat of the sum
mer. Among the winter varieties which
have succeeded best. the Rappahannock
is prominently named. It is favorably
mentioned throughout the South and
West, and has done we'll among the
mountains of Utah.
The corn crop Of 1870. unlike those Of
two years preceding, is full, and the
best of the past ten years. The States
Of the great corn region, including those
bordering on The great lakes, and on the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers. have. with
out exception, made rather full or large
crop. Intelligent men estimate the to-
tai product at $50 ,OoO, 600 bushels.
In Illinois rye gives somewhat small
er yield than in 1860. Oats are not
generally so productive as last year, ex-
cept in the South.
In Michigan and New Jersey the ag>
grsgats product Of barley appears less
than in 1869.
The only States yielding full crops Of
buckwheat are Tennessee, Kentucky
and Nebraska. The aggregates are less
than usual.
The reports about beans and peas in
dictate an average production in quantity
and quality. with some local variability.
The pea crop, which is one of great i'm
portance to the South, has occupied .
larger acreage than formerly in North
Carolina. Georgia and Tennessee, but
has been somewhat neglected in other
cotton States.
Potatoes exhibit considerable Teduc>
ton in yield, which is below an average
in all the Atlantic States to Virginia in
elusive, and in all the Western States
north Of the Ohio river the depreciation
ranging from fifteen to forty-four per
cent.
The sweet potato crop is compare
lively large one, while the increase OF
sorghum is not very large. The crop IS
in superior condition, and promises .
yield of syrup Of fine quality.
The increase in breadth Of cotton was
estimated in July at twelve per cent.
Combining tho elements of acreage
planted, and its condition on the LIST OF
October, the nstural expectation. other
circu instances being equal, would lead to
a comparison with last year as follows :
A large increase in the product Of cane
sugar is regarded as certain.
There is comparatively large surplus
Of old wheat in Tennessee, Missouri,
Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, and as much
Is usual in Ohio, Indiana and KENTUCKY
and smaller States. There is no evil
dence Of any large surplus to add mates
rally to the supplies of q year.
The supply of fattening cattle is some>
what in excess Of former years, with
great local variation;