The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-01
TEE COUNTRY'S CROPS.
Monthly Report Of the Govern
ment's Statistician.
The Condition Of Wheat, Cotton
Corn and Oats.

The June report Of the Ststistician Of the
Department Of Agriculture makes the area
in winter wheat, as compared with the
breadth harvested last year, Ills; spring
wheat, 1884; barley, 1oz.1i rye, 1o1.5; oats,
H.9. The condition is: Winter wheat, 9s.8,
spring wheat 92.e; harley, 9o.3; rye 95.4;
OATS S5.
In comparison with 1885, the increase in
wheat acreage is quite moderate. The re-
duction last year Of more than 1900, 900
acres suggests the reason for most of the
present increase. This ad rance is therefore
both replacement and development, the for
mer notably in Illinois, Missouri, Kan
sas and California, the latter in less
degree in Washington, Oregon; the
Dakotas and in several Territories.
These violent fluctuations make the investi-
cation difficult, and in some districts will
render necessary supplementary work. To
this extent present estimates may be con.
sidered preliminary. The extension OF
acreage, according to our correspondents,
depends on price Of wheat and not on availa-
bic land. A large increment Of wheat
breadth is reported in Washington, "a large
amount Of new land is being broken for next
years CROP" and the local opinion Is e1-
pressed that no more than one-ffth OF the
WneaG lauQ OIL tnaU ueW SLato - uuoei SuA'i
vation.
The winter wheat crop is encroaching
upon the southern and eastern borders Of
the spring wheat district, notable in Iowa
and Wisconsin, under the protection Of crop
diyersification and new methods OF cultiva-
tion, while spring wheat extension responds
moderately to the stimulus Of higher prices.
The condition Of winter wheat has declined
only one point. The average OF New York
Is 96: Pennsylvania, 81: Georgia, 90; Texas 9S;
Ohio 80; Michigan. 30; Indiana. 80; Illinois,
aS: Missouri, go; Kansas, 95; California, 81.
The first monthly statement OF averages OF
spring wheat makes Wisconsin, n; Mime
.ota. SO: Iowa, 95; Nebraska, 81; the Da-
kotas 9j Early-sown wheat was injured by
frost in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Germin-
alton was arrested by drought in the same
region. In South Ia .ota drought has re-
taTded growth, Conditions have been more
favorable generally in North Dakota.
Recent rains in Nebraska and Iowa have
greatly benefited wheat and encouraged the
growers.
Drought in May has greatly injured oats
on the entire Atlantic coast. Winter oats In
the Southern States are far better than the
spring crop, which has been partially de-
sfroyed by drought and insects. Not only
was the acreage reduced in the Ohio Valley.
but condition is low in consequence OF dry
weather. In Minnesota the injuries OF
drought were supplemented by those Of cut
worms. Condition is highest on the North
srn Atlantic coast and on the Pacific where
areas are very limited.
The increase in the acreare OF barley is
general in almost every section where it is
grown, and especially marxed in the States
Of the Ohio Valley. in Wisconsin and Cali
fornia. Condition is uniformly. high except
in portions OF the Northwest, where it has
been lowered by drought and cool weather.
The report for June makes the acreage In
cotton 81. Z per cent. Of the area OF 1890, and
the average condition S5.7. The reduction
OF the area is attributed in some districts te
concerted contraction on account OF 10"
prices, but it is evident that it is mainly dut
to unfavorable conditions for planting anc
termination. ,,.
Planting delayed by early rains drought
in the latter half Of April, followed by con
tinued drought in May. termination arrest
ed, replanting active, defective stands cor
rected, are the features Of the record IRE
ouently and almost universally reported
These conditions were less general and con
trolling in Texas than in any other State.