Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1887 — THE LONG DRY SPELL. [ARTICLE]

THE LONG DRY SPELL.

Its Disastrous Effects Upon the Crops in Some of the Western States. Indiana and Illinois the Worst Sufferer.*—lowa and Nebraska More Fortunate. [Chicago special.! The Times of this city gives reports from various points in tne Western States showing the condition of the crops, which is thus summarized: The drougnt has been uncommonly severe in most of the territory covered by these advices, and the sum of the information obtained is not favorable. While some States nave escaped with little loss, others have suffered very seriously. In Illinois the "dry spell” has been especially disastrous. The yield'of hay has been light, the crop of oats is considered below the average, while the prospects for comare decidedly discouraging. From present advices it is reasonable to state that about half the usual yield will be obtained. Many counties report prospects for considerably less than half a crop, while only a very few especially favored report an average. About 50 per cent, of the usual yield would seem to be' indicated by the advices from the State. *ln the great com Center in the middle of tjhe State many of the farmers are cutting up the stalks for fodder, believing that rains, if they come at all, will come too late to do any good. In Indiana, also, the drought has done much damage. Rain has not fallen in many places for more than four weeks, and the recent showers have been of little benefit. In some localities the com crop is a total failure, and in no portion of the Slate is the ordinary yield expected. From one-third to one-fourth of a crop is the tenor of the reports from this State. Hay is but a poor crop, and oats are short of the usual production. In Wisconsin the drought seems to have been less destructive Some localities report a falling off in com, but the crop in most sections of the State seems likely to be au average, while the oat crop is fair. The same seems to be true of Michigan and Ohio. West of tho Mississippi the advices are much more encouraging. Plentiful rains have fallen recently in lowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, which have been of untold benefit to the corn. The Secretary of the lowa Agricultural Society reports a probable corn yield of 1200,00),010 bushels, which is some 30,100,000 in excess of the short crop of last year.