Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-07-03
THE COUNTRY'S CROPS.
Monthly Report of the Govern.
ment's Statistician.
The Condition of Wheat, Cotton,
Corn and Oats.

The June report of the Statistician of the
Department Of Agriculture makes the area
In winter wheat, as compared with the
breadth harvested last year, Ills; spring
wheat, 1894; barley. 1871; rye. l0i.5: oats
S.9. The condition is: Winter wheat, 96.6
spring wheat, 92.e; harley, 9O.s; rye, a5.4;
oats, S.
In comparison with 1889, the increase in
wheat acreage is quite moderate. The re-
duction last year Of more than Q OOO, 900
acres suggests the reason for most OF the
present increase. This ad 7ance 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-
s1dered preliminary. The extension of
acreage, according to our correspondents
depends on price of wheat and not on availa-
BILE land. 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 ex-
pressed that no more than one-fifth of the
wheat laud Of that new State is under Guilt
walton.
The winter wheat crop is encroaching
the spring wheat district, notable in Iowa
and Wisconsin, under the protection Of crop
dlversification and new methods of cultiva-
ton, 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 SO; Pennsylvania, 81: Georgia. 90: Texas, %;
Ohio 80; Michigan. 80; Indiana 90; illinois,
9S; Missouri, SO; Kansas, s.; California, %.
The first monthly statement of averages of
spring wheat makes Wisconsin, n; Mime
sofa. 50; Iowa, 95; Nebraska, 81; the Da-
kOtas, 81. Early-sown wheat was injured by
frost in Wisconsin and Minnesota Germin-
alton was arrested by drought in the same
region. In South Dakota drought has re-
tarded growth. Conditions have been more
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-
stroyed 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
ern 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 marked 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 97.7 per cent of the area Of 1890 and
the average condition S57. The reduction
of the area is attributed in some districts to
concerted contraction on account of low
prices, but it is evident that it is mainly due
to unfavorable conditions for planting and
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
quently and almost universally reported
These conditions were less general and con-
trolling in Texas than in any other State