prospered only in spots, so to speak. In this district there have been dry areas, and wet areas, the rains having fallen in scattered localities; however, the vegetable crops thrive better under adverse moisture conditions than any other class of crops, and this section has produced fair crops of vegetables; the fruit crops have suffered most, and apparently have little more than held their own in point of both condition and production. Reviewing the situation as to the cotton and fruit crops of the State, a comparison of conditions indicates that the cotton product of the State will be close to 57,000 to 58,000 bales, a reduction of 30 per cent of the normal crop. A comparison of the condition of the present orange and grapefruit crops with condition at same date last year indicate only a very slight increase in either crop. The orange crop of 1906-7 amounted to 3,006,534 boxes, and the comparative conditions go to show that the crop of 1907-8 will be very little larger-hardly a greater increase than 250,000 boxes, so that it is very probable that the crop now on will not exceed 3,256,000 boxes. The grapefruit shows a little better condition, and by the same sources of comparison there is a slight increase also. The grapefruit crop of 1906-7 amounted to 450,304 crates, and the present indications are that it will not exceed 472,819 crates for 1907-8. An error that is harmful to both crops is that of estimating both oranges and grapefruit as one; they should be kept entirely separate, and then both buyers and sellers of fruit have a fairer field of operation. We therefore estimate the orange crop of 1907-8 at approximately 3,256,000 boxes, and the grapefruit crop of 1907-8 at 472,819 crates, or a total of citrus fruit products of 3,728,819 boxes or crates. REPORT OF CONDITION AND PROSPECTIVE YIELD OF CROPS, FRUITS AND FRUIT TREES FOR QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1908, AS COMPARED WESTERN DIVISION. Calhoun 75 76 110 100 100 100 75 Escambia 75 66 66 100 100 120 110 100 Holmes 100 60 60 100 100 100 100 95 95 Jackson 65 65 100 100 100 100 90 95 Santa Rosa 80 80 100 100 95 100 90 Walton 90 65 70 70 70 70 70 75 Washington 75 66 65 60 70 80 85 75 80 80 75 Division average per cent 68 69 60 1 70 94 94 94 94 86 86 |