Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1901 — STATE OF THE CROPS. [ARTICLE]

STATE OF THE CROPS.

WEATHER BUREAU’S WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. Fourth Con ecutive Week of Abnormally Cold Weather Retards^Growth Over Nearly the Whole Country— Progress of Corn-Planting Slow. The chief of the crop division of the weather bureau, in his weekly report, says that this* is the fourth consecutive week of abnormally cold weather over nearly the whole country with the most marked temperature deficiency of the season in the central valleys and Southern States, and heavy precipitation throughout the Ohio valley and over the greater portion of the Atlantic coast and gulf districts. These conditions have l>cen very unfavorable for farming operations, germination and growth and the heavy rains have resulted in destructive freshets, especially in Ohio valley. Warmth and in most sections sunshine are now urgently needed generally to the east of the Rocky Mountains, While the season continues backward in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific coast States, the seasonal temperature deficiency is not marked, and the latter part of the week was very favorable in the ceutral Rocky Mountain region. •Slow progress has been made with corn planting; none has yet been planted north of the Ohio river, anil extensive replanting will he necessary over a large part of the Southern States, where the growth of the crop has been decidedly cheeked. While the growth of winter wheat has been materially retarded by low temperatures, the previously reported promising condition of this crop continues. In Oklahoma and Texas, however, insects are still causing serious damage. - On the Pacific coast the condition of winter wheat is promising except the lata sown in portions of California. But little spring wheat has been sown in North Dakota, and while seeding is well advanced in portions of Minnesota and South Dakota, much less has been sewn than at the corresponding date of last year and germination has been checked. Where not interfered with by rain, oat seeding has made favorable progress, an 1 is nearing completion iu the central valleys, but iu the more northerly sections and in the middle Atlantic States slow progress lias been made. The reports respecting this crop, however, are generally favorable, except in Oklahoma and Texas, where insects continue destructive. The week has been unfavorable for cotton planting over a large part of the cotton belt, more particularly in the central districts, where much replanting will be necessary. The early planted is coming up to poor stands generally, and in Texas and Geoejrtft some damage has been done by frost. In Tennessee about one-third of the crop has been planted. S-tate Reports. Illinois.—Cold weather during week retarded germination nud growth of vegetation; conditions favorable for farm work in northern part of State, but work delayed by wet weather in southern part; wheat, rye and grasses look well. Put growth Is slow; oat seeding nearly finished and many Helds eouilug up: some plowing done for corn, gardening, and potato planting, fruit prospects good, but some damage by trost feared. Indiana.—Precipitation beneficial to crops, but delayed plowing and seeding: owing to cold weather crops advanced slowly: ice and frost in localities did no apparent Injury: wheat, rye, eloVer and grass Improved; tobacco plants coming up slowly; oat nud barley seeding progressed slowly; oats coming up; potatoes planted; fruit irees, except apples. In bloom. Ohio.—Unusually cold and stormy; heavy snow in east and south; damaging floods In Valley of Ohio and tributaries; farm work much delayed, especially In east; vegetation made little growth: wheat and grass not unfavorably affected. except In few Instances; fruit backward, no bloom except In ex.reine south; opinions as to damage differ, Impossible to determine extent at present. Michigan.—ltains and snow beneficial to wheat, rye, and meadows, but delayed field work: oats, pens anil barley seeding advancing slowly; plowing for corn nud early potatoes begun; fruit trees generally promising. \\ isconsin.—Week generally cool, with heavy frosts during latter part tnd light snow: some seeding In southern portion, but little work on land In central and northern; ground remains frozen In many localities; winter wheat and rye generally uninjured and outlook promising; clover wintered fair ly well. lowa.—Week unseasonably cold and work delayed two or three days by rain: spring wheat sown and seeding of oats and barley nearly completed, except In limited area; germination retarded, but no material Injury caused by freezing: progress In plowing for corn. South Dakota.—Generally frosty nights fore part of week, with ralu or snow In east portion, delayed seeding and retarded germination and growth of spring wheat, oats and barley, but no Injury reported; spring wheat seeding nearly completed in southeast; elsewhere fairly good progress made; grass growth slow. Nebraska.—Cold week, with killing frosts on the first (lays; vegetation backward and nothing damaged.