Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1901 — STATE OF THE CROPS [ARTICLE]

STATE OF THE CROPS

WEEKLY REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Yield of Late Planted Carn Will Fe Larger than Expected-Weather Condition* Over Greater Part of Country Goo I—Spring Wheat Harvest Over. The weather conditions of the week have been generally favorable except in the middle and south Atlantic aud east gulf States and Tennessee, where in nearly all these sections heavy rains have damaged crops and interfered with work, and in some districts washed lands and caused inuudatious. Drought conditions still prevail iu portions of lowa, Oklahoma and Texas, in the last-named State becoming serious in localities, and rain is also needed in Michigan, Nebraska, the. north Pacific coast States and portions of Kansas and Missouri. The temperature conditions have been favorable for best results except in portions of Missouri. Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana and Washington. Continued improvement in the condition of late corn is generally reported from tlie principal corn-growing States. Reports indicate that late corn in lowa has made rapid progress, and that the ears are filling beyond previous expectations; it shows some improvement in most localities in Nebraska; has improved in eastern and middle Kansas and in western and southeastern Missouri; elsewhere in the last-named State the crop is deteriorating, and much complaint is received of ears not.filling well. In the States of tile Ohio valley the prospects for late corn are decidedly improved. In some sections fields previously reported beyond recovery will lie reclaimed and tlie indications are that the prospective yield will be largely increased. Cutting lias begun in portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, Spring wheat harvest is practically finished in all sections, although retarded «ome by rain in South Dakota aud Minnesota. Thrashing is general and tlie yields nre as a rule satisfactory except in North Dakota, where they continue below expectations. The weather of the week has been gen erally unfavorable for cotton. Complaints of shedding and rusting are general throughout the entire cotton belt, except in Missouri and Oklahoma, but in Oklahoma the crop has been somewhat damaged by hot. dry weather; some favorable reports are, however, received from Tennessee, Arkansas ami Louisiana. Tobaco is in good condition in the Ohio valley and Tennessee, and the prospects for this crop are generally favorable in these Stjtes ns well as in New York. Drying tobacco was slightly injure 1 iu Maryland by humid weather, and rains were unfavorable in Virginia. While adverse statements concerning apples continue from a greater number of the principal apple growing States, reports from Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Nebraska indicate fairly good prospects for this fruit in portions of those States. Plowing for fall seeding is in general progress in all sections with soil usually in good condition except in the central Mississippi and lower Missouri valley, where rain is needed to put the ground in proper condition for this work. Crop Reports by States. Missouri—Rainfall deficient except in some western ami southeaste.n counties; late corn improving in these districts; elsewhere deteriorating; much complaint of ears not tilling well; over half of fall plowing completed; soil dry but loose; but little iiu provemeirt In cotton; pastures, apples aud peaches improving tn some western and southwestern counties; clover seed light to fair In portions of northwestern ami southeastern counties, elsewhere a failure. Illinois—Good rains throughout the State benefited crops, except car.y corn, potatoes and gardens; prospects for late corn Improved decidedly; early eosn not well tilled and is being cut for fodder: broom corn Improved; stock peas improved aud blooming; pastures much better and green again; potatoes and gardens poor; fruit fair to very good, except apple", which nre poor. Indiana—Well-distributed showers; marked Improvement in all late crops, except potatoes; many corn fields previously reported beyond recovery will be rtclaimed and aggregate yield largely increased; light tobacco crop In southern counties; liuprovtd rapidly in Elkhart; cutting continued In Randolph County: good clover yield: tomatoes, buckwheat and cycumbers promising; tunny late Vegetables planted; fairly good apple prospect; fine quality In Washington County; peaches and plums plentiful: plotting general. Ohio—Warm, with g.s>d showers in all sections; heavy in north: early corn ripening, late corn greatly benefited; some fields considered worthless now promise half crop; plowing for wheat progressing; early potatoes poor. late much Improved; gardens, tomatoes and pastures benefited; tobacco has resumed growing; some cutting done; early peaches plentiful, but small; late improved; apples poor; fair crop of clover seed promised. Michigan-Ample aud general ralus beneficial to nil fall crops and pastures, and have put soil In excellent condition for p'owlng; late potatoes, late beans, nnd pastures much Improved; early bean yields rather poor; corn well eared nnd promising; sugar beets continue pmml.-Ing; buckwheat ami clover well filled. Wisconsin—Light and scattered showers, except In extreme southeastern count es. where fairly copious rains occurred; general rain needed; corn being cut In some localities, but moat of crop will require three weeks to mature; crop generally good, except tn southern countie*; nearly cue half tobacco cron in shed: crop light; potatoes light crop ami poor quality; cranberries gcod. Minnesota—Scattered local showers followed by more general rains; harvesting delayed In northern and stacking and shoes thrashing In central and southern counties; flax cutting extended to northern and thrashing in central counties; corn, potuti.es, gardens and pastures generally somewhat Improved; corn cutting commenced In central counties; plowing in Drogreus. lowa—Droughty conditions still prevalent, mitigated by cool nights, and local showers in northern districts; most of early planted corn nearly ready for harvesters, aud cutting now In progress; late corn making rapid progress and ears filling beyond expectations; reports Indicate larger amount of clover seed than watt deemed possible; general ruin much needed for pastured, potatoes' and late vegetables. Nebraska—Warm week, with light shewers iu most localities; late corn continues to show some Improvement In most localities; fall plowing progressing rapidly tu southeastern sactlous, but elsewhere dry soli retards this work; more rulu Iu all sections would be beneficial. South Dakota —Wurm ami dry, very favorable fcr thrashing, haying, tlax, millet and fodder euttlng; thrashing general; rain needrd for plowing, corn, flax, graseand potatoes; Improvement continues; good crop of hay nud millet well secured; some early corn ripening and late filling quite well; potato crop small. Kansas—Late corn ami forage ami pasture* improved In eastern nnd middle dtvlslons; fall plowing retarded In middle and western division by dry ground; chinch bugs appearing In central counties; apples, peaches, grapes and plums promising good crops. Burglar Zeno Williams, colored, wan ■hot and killed by Merchant Eugene Edwards, Paducah, Ky., while trying fln brea 1 * into his store.