Michigan Crop Report

The weather the first half of May was exceedingly warm, the temperatura for several days averaging ten degrees above the normal, and the latter luilt' it was unusually cool, the average teinperature ranging from flve to ten degrees helow the normal. General and heavy rains occurred at the very beginning of the month and continued until after the 20th, keeping the grouud well soaked for more than tliree weeks. Such weather was favorable to the growth of wheat, and the average condition June 1 in the southern counties, where 85 per cent of the erop is grown, is reported at 92 per cent. as compared with 77 in 1893, 91 in 1892, and 96 in 1891. The average condition this year is higher than in any previous year of which we have record excepting 1891. The average condition iu the central counties is 90, and in the northern 95. The figures for the central counties are the highest for this section June 1, since 1889. The total number of bushels of wheat reported marketed hy farmers in May is 818,747. The total number of bushels of wheat reported marketed in the ten montlis, August-May, is 13,431,945, which is 422,456 bushels more than reported marketed in the same nionths last year. The heavy and continued rains seriously interfered with the planting of eorn, and a much larger área than usual reoiained to be planted Juue 1, and of that planted early, more than au average amount had to be replanted. The reports indícate, however, that the acreage of this erop will notbe less than in average years. The area seeded to oats is fully equal to the area in average years, and the erop is in fine condition. Barley is not grown in this State. The figures indícate a decline in area. The average condition is about 93 per cent, comparison beiug with average years. The average condition of meadows and pastures in the southern four tiers of counties is 89 per cent., an average much below what would ordinarily be expected in a season when weather con.litions were as favorable as prevailee iu May. The low condition niay be alniost wholly charged to damage by the clover root borer. The condition in the central couuties is 95, and in th northern 101. Clover sown this year has made gooc growth. The average condition in the State is but little short of 100. The outlook for apples is promising The figures indícate nine-tenths of a ful average erop. One year ago the erop in the southern counties was estimated a 55, and in the central at 65 per cent. o au average. Peaches are estimated a two-thirds of an average erop. In the southern counties the wage per month of farm hands average $15.89 with board, and $22.16 without board in the central counties $15.20 with board, and $22.99 without board, and in the northern counties $17.09 with board, and $27.14 without board. The average wages this year arelower than ever before reported to this office. Compared with one year ago wages with board have declined $2.12 in the southern counties, $2.25 in the central counties, and 2.19 in the northern counties. The farm statistics of 872 townships, collected by supervisors, have been received at this office. The footiugs of the sheep and wool columns indícate that the number of sheep now on hand in the southern counties is more than five per cent. less than sheared in 1893. There has been some increase in the central and northern counties, but not enough to offset the loss in the southern counties. The aggregate loss in the State exceeds three per cent. of the nutnber sheared last year. Secretary of State.