Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1901 — STATE OF THE CROPS. [ARTICLE]

STATE OF THE CROPS.

WEEKLY REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Upper Mississippi Valley and Lake Region Need Ruin- Weather Favorable for Spring- Wheat Harvest iu All Sections—Outlook forlorn. The weekly crop report issues by the Agricultural Department gives the following general summary of conditions throughout the country: The temperature conditions of the week have been favorable except on the North Pacific coast, where it has been excesshely warm. The middle am| south Atlantic and east gulf States, including Tennessee, have suffered from heavy rains, the south Atlantic and cast gulf States an I Tennessee experiencing damaging winds as well as injury from overflows. '1 h * greater part of Texas and portions of the Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys and upper lake region continue to suffer from drought, and drought is beginning to affect crops in Oregon and Wishington. The Rocky Mountain region and California have had an exceptionally favorable week. A general improvement in the condition of late corn is indicated in the principal corn States. In lowa the crop is materially improved and'more promising than was deemed possible Aug. 1, but the yield is still contingent upon additional moisture soon and the absence of frosts the greater part of September. Late corn has improved in extreme southeastern Nebraska, but continues to suffer for rain in central and northern counties. In the eastern and western portions of Kansas late corn is much improved, but in the central counties rain came too late to save the crop. In some portions of Missouri late corn is progressing well, but in most sections it is suffering for rain. Good rains in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio have improved the outlook, especially in Indiana, but, as in other portions of the corn belt, the greater part of the early corn has been ruined. The propitious outlook for corn in the middle Atlantic States and New England continues. The weather has been favorable for spring wheat harvest in all sections. Harvesting is nearly finished in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Oregon, and is in progress in Washington, where, owing to excessive heat, the grain has ripened somewhat too rapidly. In North Dakota, owing to shrunken berry and poorly filled heads, the yield of spring wheat is proving disappointing. The central ami eastern portions of the cotton belt have suffered from heavy rains, while drought has become more serious over the greater part of the western districts. In the Carolinas too rank growth is reported, especially on stiff lands and in Georgia, Florida and Alabama heavy rains an 1 high winds have caused Injury, rust and shedding being quite prevalent. In Tennessee, Mississippi, and portions of Arkansas the crop has improved. Cotton needs rain throughout Texas, and is failing rapidly in the central, southern and southwestern portions. The general outlook for apples continues unpromising, although slightly improved conditions are reported from portions of Ohio. Indiana, an 1 Illinois. The excessive rains have caused peaches to rot extensively in the middle and south Atlantic States. Generally to the east of the Mississippi River the soil is in excellent condition for fall plowing, and favorable progress with this work has been made in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, but in the upper Mississippi Valley the ground is generally too dry. Reporta from Ftatea. Missouri—Rainfall generally light: late corn progressing' well In some districts, but in most sections suffering for more rain, and in some eastern counties about dried up; cotton doing fairly well, some openlug: late sown forage crops growing well in some sections, In other drying trp: pastures continue short; plowing progressing rapidly; fruits as a whole improved but little. Illinois—Good rains at end of week caused improvement In agricultural situation: oats, turning out fairly well; prospects for late corn somewhat improved, but early corn cannot be benefited much; prospects for broom corn fair; stock peas Improved; pastures brown, but showing Improvement; prospects for potatoes and gardens poor; prospects for fruit, especially apples, diminishing, although apples promise well In some localities. ’ Indiana—Crop deterioration continued until 17th ami 18th, when copious showers occurred over greater portion of State; lowlands and late* planted corn will be materially lmprove*d; stock feeding more general, early corn fodder being used: damage to potatoes and vegetables probably permanent; hopes entertained for better tomato yield than expected: fair tobacco prospects, some tobacco bouse;! In Randolph County; fairly good apple prospects. Ohio—Good rains except In southwestern and few west-central counties; pastures late, fruits late, garden nnd truck crops late, corn nnd tobacco benefited In most districts; some corn In southwest past help; fall plowing will now begin; oat thrashing continued, yield fair; seed clover fair; most potatoes poor, some decay; tobacco cutting begun; grapes rotting. Michigan -Droughty conditions in central and southern conntits have Injured late potatoes and prematurely ripened beans; corn has suffered, but continues fairly promising; pasturage poor and some stock being fed; sugar beets continued promising; plowing generally begun in all sections, but much delayed In southern by dry soil. Wisconsin—Thrashing well under way, yield of winter and spring wheat and barley generally good, quality excellent; oats light; corn generally backward, but with favorable weather will make good crop In central nnd northern sections; potatoes generally poor crop; second growth of clover excellent; apples light and of poor quality. Minnesota—On 12th and 13th seatiered light showers In west and heavier local showers In extreme southeast; harvesting progressing rapidly In northern counties and shock thrashing In central portions; flux cutting and thrashing In aouthern half; corn, potatoes, gardens nnd pastures seriously affected by drought; plowing begun In south; large wild hay crop being secured. Nebraska—Warm, dry week; Btte corn has Improved In southeastern counties, nnd needs rain In central nnd northern counties; good crop of hny being secured In prime condition In northern counties; considerable plowing has been done In southern counties, mid Indications are for large acreage of winter wheat. South Dakota—Warm showers generally light, soil moisture sufficient; plowing begun; stacking, thrashing ami haying progressing nicely; corn, millet, flax, potatoes and grass improving: early flax being cut. poor to fair crop; early corn In roasting eur, some cut for fodder, late fllllug fairly, and with favorable September yield will probably be above half crop. lowa—Week warmer than usual nnd diy. except over small area In northwest district; corn shows material improvement, and the 'cron Is more promising than was deemed possible the Ist of August, but the output of sound corn Is contingent ou more moisture very soon nnd absence of frost larger part of September: pasturage scant and.stock feeding quite general. Patronize those'wbo advertise