Crop Report For November

The average condition of wlieat on November 1 was in the southern counties, 75: central, 88; northern, 103, and State, 82, comparison being witli vitality auil growth of average years. The coudition in the southern counties, vvhere eiglity-ñve percent of the erop is grown, ia thirteen per cent lower than one year ago. The average conditiou in the State in previous years has been: 1896, 90; 1895,78; 1894,94; 1893, 89; 1892, 87, and 1891, 91. Tne severe drouth prevaüing at the date of the October report was not broken in the southern aud central sections of the State until October 11. Light rains occurred on the 5th-8th, but not in s'iílicient amount to be of benefit. On the 11 th and 12th storms occurred generally throughout the State, the raiufall being sufficient to afford relief. Since this storm wheat has made fairly good progress. On fields favorably situated it is looking well, but a large proportion of the fields are more than ordiuarily spotted. This is particularly true of rolling fields where the tops and sides of bilis are practically bare. There was a second general rain on the 19th22d, and a lighter one on the 31st. These rains have been of great immediate advantage, but heavy, soaking rains are yet needed to place the ground in usually wet condition at the opening of winter. The rains in August, September aml October were more abundant in the northern counties and wheat th ere is in fine condition. The estimates indícate that the area seeded to wheat this fall is six per cent greater than sowed in the fall of 1896. The estimated excess in the southèrn counties is four per cent in the central six percent, aud iu the northern fifteen per cent. The total number of bushels of wheat reponed niarketed by farmers since the October report was published is 1,962,963, and in the three months, August, September and October, 5,597,995. This is 2,198,821 bushels more than reported marketed in the same months last year. The average yield of corn per acre in the State is estimated at 61 bushels of ears, equal to about 30 bushels of shelled corn. The estímate for the southèrn counties is GO, central, 63, and northern, Cl bushels of ears. The average for the State is three bushels lower than made October 1. The area of dover seed harvested is largo, at least mach lnrger than in any late year, and the estimated average yield higher than ever yet reported in the farm statistics. The yield m the State is estimated at 1.92 bushels, in the southèrn counties at 1.S7, central, 2.16, and northern, 2 bushels per acre. Potatoes are estimated to yield in the State 64 per cent of an average erop. The estímate for the southèrn counties is 60, central, 63, uorthern, 85, and upper península 96 per cent. Live stock is in good condition. The percentages are 96 for horses and cattle, Ü7 forsheep, and 98 for swiue, compariBon being with stock in good healtby and tluifty condition.