The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-12
CONDITION OF THE CROPS.
Wheat and Oats Show n Better Aver
age While Corn j. Slightly Lower.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE July
grain and crop report Of the Department
Of Agriculture says:
Preliminary returns to The statistician
Of the Department Of Agriculture on the
condition OF corn Indicate a reduction of
Der cent. in the area harvested last
year There Is a decrease OF $4,000 acres
I'm Illinois. of 303 900 in Iowa, OF $1,000 In
Missouri. OF 1900 In Kansas and $4,000
i'm Nebraska. Many other States like
wise show a reduced acreage, but a ma
i0rlty OF the Southern States report an
increase. ranging from 1 per cent In the
case OF North Carolina and Geor-
gia TO per cent IN that
OF Texas The average condition,
gO5-although rs points higher than the
condition for tho corresponding date o,
last year-is, with the exception or 1879
and 1897. the lowest July condition in ten
years. the average for that period being
9l3.
The condition OF winter wheat-S.I-iS
IL points lower than last month, but is
stiH As points higher than the cores
pouding date last year and points higher
than the average for the past ten years.
The principal State averages are as
follows:
Pennsylvania, 81; Maryland. Sc; Tonnes
see on. Kent1cky 90: Ohio. 81 Michigan.
o.. Indiana, "a: Illinois. s.; Missouri, s.;
Kansas. 50. and California. 50.
The average condition OF spring wheat
is IS. This Is 3S points higher than at
the corresponding date last year, Is 81
above the average for the past ten
years. and is the highest July average.
with two exceptions. In thirteen years
The principal State averages are as fol-
lows: Minnesota, 81 South Dakota, 81
North Dakota, %; Iowa, 81; Nebraska
l02: Washington, l02 and oregon, 100.
The average condition OF spring and
winter wheat combined Is S9.4 which IS
As points higher Than az the correspond.
ing date last year. The percentage OF
the wheat crop OF 1887 reported as Sun
on hand on July l. lsse. Is 1896 per cent
The average condition Of the oat crop,
e2s is SO per cent lower than last
month, but is So points higher than AZ
the corresponding date last year ~
points higher than the average Cor the
past ten years. and is, with ono e1cep'
ton. the highest since 1879.
The average condition OF barley Is 800.
which is 60 points higher than !ast
month, but is 2S points lower than on
July LIST last year, and 81 below the July
average for the past ten years
The average condition OF spring rye Is
fs.6. as against 900 on July l. iss'' ana 500
the July average for the past ten years
There Is an Increase OF ID per cent In
the acreage OF Irish potatoes. The aver
age condition. g5.5 Is ~ points higher
than M the corresponding date last year
and is points above the ten year aver
age.
There is a marked Increase In the acre.
age OF tobacco in nearly all the States
OF principal production, Kentucky report
Ing an Increase OF 8 per cent. Virginia
4 per cent, Tennessee 10 per cent. and
Ohio per cent. There Is a reduction OF
& per cent. in North Carolina and OF II
per cent in Florida. The average condi-
ton is much better than AT the corres-
ponding date last year. The reports as
TO forage crops are. with few and un-
important exceptions. exceedingly favor
able. The outlook for the apple crop in
very discouraglng. OF the fourteen prin-
cipal apple growing States. eleven report
even lower average OF condition than
at the corresponding date last year. With
a few notable exceptions. among which
is Georgia with condition OF iD+. IN al.
cations as 70 the peach crop are some
what unfavoyable. The wool report In.
dicates the average weight per fleece a.
haing SIS ponnds the sauna a. last year.