Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-05-01
Wilmington, Thursday. Nav. |. 1884
Peninsuiar Agricultural Statistics.

NHtiAH6 toIt ! ilut sunJI Hiuff 10 tSoT |
Peninsular Agricultural Statistics.
The department OF agriculture has just
issued report Of the area Of winter grain,
the condition Of farm animals and the
freight rates OF transportation companies,
which contains some information of
special interest to Peninsular farmers.
The April returns make the winter
wheat area, for the whole country, about
27,600,000 acres an increase OF 8 per
cent. as compared with the area har-
vested last year. The condition of the
crop averages 95, full stand, unimpsrsd
vitality and medium growth being placed
at 100. In two states, Connecticut and
West Virginia, the crop Is rated fully up
to the standard OF 100 in four states,
Virginia, Texas, Kansas and California,
1t is rated at 10l; while in Maryland,
North Carolina and Oregon the report |
gives the exceptionally high rating OF
102. The crop in Delaware is rated at
90. Arkansas shows the lowest rating, 81.
The seeding in Maryland was little
later than usual, owing to slow maturing
Of the corn crop. Afterwards a period Of
drouth WAS unfavorsble and subsequent
heavy rains interfered with the
preparation of the soil. The early Gown
made a good growth. Fairly favorable
seasons +" were enjoyed in Delaware.
The Hessian fly has wrought little
injury to the crop as yet. slight injury
ia reported from New Castle county, and
from Allegheny, Baltimore, Frederick
and Somerset counties, Maryland. The
greatest damage, 20 per cent, is reported
from Berks county, Pa, and Wilson
county, Tenn.
The tsbulsted averages OF area and
condition of wheat and rye, as compared
with the area actually harvested last
year, shows the following exhibit for
Delaware and Maryland: Delaware =;
wheat, area, 1ol; condition, So. Mary
land wheat, area, 1903; condition, l02.
Delaware rye, area, 10l condition, 50.
Maryland rye, area, 81; condition, 1o1.
The tabulatsd statement of the esti-
mated losses of cattle fromsdisesses Of all
kinds, stress of weather, theft, and other
causes, gives the total number of neal
cattle in Delaware at 54,367 in Mary
land, 1854, 342. The losses from the abov'
causes in Delaware amounted to 2,l75
In Maryland, 1880. The number o
high grade cattle in Delaware is placed
at s,7S6; percentage of IS; in Mary
land at 80, 65l; percentage OF Is. Unde
the head of " Improvement by breeding,
the original value of the uniinprove
stock Of Delaware cattle is given q
1894, 200. and the value added by in
fusion of superior blood during years {
judicious and scientific practice of entsl
prising breeders, at $3.50, 0s9 gain {
33 per cent. The corresponding figure
or Maryland stock are $5.905, $40 an
s2,3O3, 1872 showing gain of 80 pr
cent. These figures are given only as a
approximation which ''may be presume
"to come near the truth"
The total number OF sheep in Dslaws
Ia 22,077 of which the Losses for IL
year foot up / 545-7 per cent, Mar
land is credited with total Of 172 o.
sheep of which BASE, 3 per cent, ha
been lost. Fully one-half the losses a
attributable to dogs the other HI
having been chiefly caused by exposui
starvation, rot and scab this stateme
referring to United States as a whole.
The total number OF swine in Delawa
ia as, sos in Maryland, 1926, Alb; ID
during the year in Delaware, 1882;
Maryland, 1885.
In the "Digest of State Agents I
sports" the following summaries q
given:
Delaware. The healthfulness OF horses /
been excellent No disease except slie
attacks OF distemper and few cases
pink eye in lower Kent and Sussex count
in the autumn Of 1883, about one case in t
hundred proving fatal. These diseases
attributed by our farmers to the practice
bringing broken-down car horses fr
cities, as our native stock show a remarka
healthfulness. Cattle are generally healtl
and above the average III condition
diseases have prevailed during the past ye
Sheep have wintered well, and are about
an average condition. The loss from
causes during the past year will not excee
per cent Hogs are in healthy conditi
and no disease reported.
Observation-Disclosures OF all kinds hi
wintered unusually well and are now in SO
condition. There has been no epidemic
serious contagious disease among them
few sporadic cases Of pnk-eye among hors
scab among sheep, and isolated cases Of
cholera, are reported. Pleuro .pneumo
has appeared in certain parts Of the state
is now thoroughly under control. Farm
generally are paying more attention to
care and shelter Of their stock than here
fore. The loss Of all kinds of stock
been SO slight that it is not worth estimate