Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1890 — BAD FOR THE FARMERS. [ARTICLE]

BAD FOR THE FARMERS.

DI&COUBAGING CROP REPORTS FROM THE NORTHWEST. Correspondents in Many Places Report Widespread Damage—The Percentage oi Condition Low in Illinoig, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri—Kansas Holds Her Own. The following will appear In the next issue of the Farmers’ Review of Chicago: “Outside of Kansas the reports from our crop correspondents relative to the condition of winter wheat are very discouraging. Particularly is this true of Illinois and Indiana, where the average for the State will fall almost as low as that of Wisconsin. But six counties in Illinois out of the entire report for that State—viz., Carroll, Clay, Henderson, Kankakee, Lee, and Peoria—estimate the present condition of winter wheat 100 per cent. In all other counties the reports of damage range from 10 to 60 per cent, two counties, Edgar and Randolph. placing the injury at the latter high figure. It is safe to say that the average condition qf wheat in this State outside the favored counties mentioned above is from 30 to 40 per qent below the usual average at this season. “The same state of affairs prevails in Indiana, but seven counties —viz., Martin, Washington. Brown, Elkhart, Greene, Jasper and La Grange—reporting ‘condition good.’ The per cent of damage is the same, three correspondents estimating tho injury at 60 per cent, many others reporting 40 and 50 per cent. The bottom lands in Floyd county have been twice overflowed and are now under water.

“Our Ohio reports make a better average, but show a great decline in the last few weeks. Adams, Ashtabula, Athens, Butler, Columbiana, Erie, Guernsey, Huron, Jackson, Noble, Portage, Ross, Trumbull, and Tascarawas counties report condition 100 per cent or over. In all other counties from which we have reports the damage will range from 10 to 40 per cent, the average of injury being about 20 per cent. “Kentucky reports show a falling off of about 12 per cent on the general average for the State since our last report. Wheat fields in many counties are still uninjured and in promising condition, but the loss in other counties has been severe. “The average for Missouri runs about per cent lower than at the date of our last report, although there are many counties in which the condition is said to be good. “Kansas continues to hold her own bravely, the reports showing only a slight decline from the average last reported. Fifteen counties report injury from frost and dry cold winds ranging from 10 to 20 per cent, but in the majority of the counties heard from condition Is reported 100 per cent or over. “In Michigan ancii Wisconsin the condition of wheat has continued to decline'. But two counties in the last named) State. Dane and Earn Claire, report condition 100' per cent. Other counties have suffered' from' 10 to- 50 per cent. Chippewa, Portage, and Sheboygan countries are stiill covered with snow and Waushara county i® said to be ‘mostly under ice and' water.’ Barry is the- only county m Michigan iim which the wheat is said! t®> lien: good condition. Emmet and Grand! Traverse counties are as yet snow-eoveredl “We summarize the reports of correspondents relative- to condition- as follows; Illinois, 76 per cent;: Indiana, 76 per cemt; Ohioi. 88 per cent; Missouri, 84 per cent; Kentucky, 87 per cent; Kansas, '42 percent; Wisconsin, 72 per cent; Michigan,. 67 percent..”-