Daily Republican., 1882-08-12
OUR GnEAC CROPS.

RaIuFnS TO the Department of
Agriculture from 5000 COrre-
sDOndents
WASHINGTON, Aug I0.-The August
crop returns OF the Department of Ag.
riculture, the work of about 5000 CORE
spondents, give estimates covering the
entir" producing area of over 1900 of
the p,I.cipal agricultural counties of
tie U''e, Il States, upon the condition
of n,o,, of the crops now growing.
tpr gJnditiOn OF cotton has improved
duriD., the past month. The general
sveI4ge has advanced from % to "a.
This is higher by three points than in
August Of 1879, and lower by eight
than the August average of 1880. 1t Is
alao two points lower than at this date
in 1875, aud one lower than in 1873, but
is higher than in the five other years
since 1872. There is no injury from
drought, except in slight degree in q
few districts Of Texas. In the northern
aud eastern divisions of that State there
has been excess of rain, causing too
vigorous growth Of stalk, delay in
fruiting and sometimes shedding of
b0lls. In the entire cotton belt there
is reported excess Of moisture, injurious
in proportion to retentiveneSs of soil.
This cause accounts for the com imperative
low condition in North Carolina, where
it is now deemed too late for entire re-
cuperation: Rust begins to appear in
districts where rains have been in ex.
cess, but without damage as yet. The
caterpillar has made its appearance in
all the States of the Gulf coast, and
though no injury has resulted many
appreheDsiOns Of future loss are eX-
pressed. The boil worm is also mem
toned in several States. A large num-
ber of the returns are highly favorable,
prophesying crop ''as large as the
land can produce" or "better than for
many years"
The wheat returns of August relate
to the spring variety. Its condition is
higher than for several years. 1t was
SO in 1880 and 81 iu 1879 and 1881. 1t
is now 81 against 100 last month. 1t is
somewhat late, but was nearly ready
for harvest at date of return. There
are some Indications of rust and blight
in parts of Minnesota. In northern
Iowa the crop is held to be the Dest
since 1877. The returns from Dakota
and Nebraska are extremely favorable.
1t is quite probable that the product
Of winter and spring wheat, without
loss by fprouting after harvest, will
slightly exceed 100000, 900 bushels, but
the extravagant estimates which as.
sume fifteen to twenty per cent. more
are wild assumptions, needlessly tend
ing to reduce the price OF wheat in the
hands Of farmers.
Special agent Moffat, of the Depart=
nent Of Agriculture, cables from Lon
don to day that wheat in England
promises an average crop of good quail
ty; in France, medium crop, slightly
Damaged by rain in the blooming
period il Germany, recent heavy rains
have deteriorated the quality of fair,
abundant product; in Russia and Aus.
ria, an average crop, and in Hungary |
fifteen per cent. above average. The
European outlook is favorable for a |
product, with some reduction |
n quality.
The condition Of the corn crop is rep |
essen ed by SO, as against n of last |
year. At this date in 1881 the effect Of |
lrought was seen in the reduction of 13
points in the general condition during |
July, followed by greater deterioration
Turing August. At the present time
are favorable for further !
In most of the States.
The averages of Southern States are
learly all above 100. The surplus-pro-
lucing States average as follows: Ohio,
Z; Michigan, 7s; Indiana, 7S; Illinois,
8, Iowa, 70: Miss ,uri, 81; Kansas, 106;
Nebraska, 98 New England ranges |
rom 81 in Massachusetts to 96 in Con-
ecticut; New York, 85; Pennsylvania,
0; New Jersey, 90. /
The general averages of condition of
'ther crops are as follows: Oats, 1G2
prlng rye, 100; barley, 95; buckwheat,
Z; potatoes, 10l; tobacco, 81.