Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1902 — CONDITION OF CROPS. [ARTICLE]

CONDITION OF CROPS.

THE GOVERNMENT WEATHER BUREAU’S WEEKLY REPORT. Rain Is Yet Badly Needed in Some Sections—Winter Wheat Shows Improvovfient in Illinois and MissouriSouthern Corn in Good Condition. The weekly crop report Issued by the weather bureau says much needed and abundant rain fell over ,a large part of the Missouri, upper Mississippi and lower Ohio valleys, but drought renditions have prevailed in the upper Ohio valley, middle Atlantic States and over the southeastern Rocky Mountain slope. Rain is now very generally needed over the greater part of the Southern States, more particularly in the eastern ami I western district, good showers having i fallen over a portion of the central gulf States. Considerable corn has been planted in Illinois, some in southern i parts of Ohio and lowa, and planting is ! well advanced in Missouri, Kansas. Ken- > tucky and Virginia. In the Southern States corn has made good growth and is In various stages of cultivation, some being ready to be laid by in Texas mid Louisiana. Winter wheat has improved in Illinois and portions of Missouri and is slightly ■ Improved in Ohio and the middle Allan- i tic States. The crop is reported to have 1 suffered no injury as a result of marked | temperature extremes in this and the pre- ' ceding week in Kansas and Nebraska, where some sections are in need of moisture. Winter wheat is also in need of rain in the central and upper Ohio valleys, no improvement being reported from Indiana, where a considerable acreage in the central part of the Skate.is being plowed up. On the Pacific coast winter wheat has made favorable progress, a i heavy crop being promised in California worth of Tehachapi. Over the southern portion of the spring i wheat region the seeding of spring wheat Is nearly completed and the early sown •a coming up, but is making slow growth. Oats have made favorable growth in the Southern States and are generally improved in Missouri and Illinois. Poor stands are reported from Nebraska and germination has been unsatisfactory in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Seeding continues in the northern section. The cotton States have experienced a very favorable week and cotton planting has made rapid progress in all sections, being practically finished in Texas. Much of the early planted throughout the cotton belt is up to good stands and cultivation is well advanced. Tobacco plants continue small, but are generally plentiful. except in Maryland. Transplanting is about half finished in South Carolina and is in progress in North Carolina. The frnit outlook continues promising, except for peaches in portions of the central valleys. Grass continues backward, but considerable Improvement is reported from portions at the central valleys. « Reports by States. Illinois -Weather changeable, with light frosts and high winds; dry early In week, hut good rains later; evop conditions improved; wbent and rye considerably Improved: oats unpromising In some localities, but generally improved; considerable corn planted: pastures and meadows poor in. some localities, but generally improved; gardens growing more rapidly and potatoes coming qp; fruit prospects good, except peaches. Indiana—Showers copious In.few extreme northern counties, hut very light and only slightly Itenetlcial elsewhere; high drying winds aggravating prevailing droughty conditions.'' no material improvement in wheat prospects; considerable acreage In central section being plowed up. Rye ami old meadows look well; young clover nearly all dead: oats coming up; gardens and pastures making slow growth; aprieot, apple, pear, cherry and plum trees blooming and promise Julr to good yields, Ohio—Sudden changes in temperature; heavy frost Lb nortn <h» 24th, no damage; light showers, but insufficient; wheat slightly improved. imt needs warm rains; oats about all sown and coming up well; potato planting and garden making progressing; some corn planted in south, fruit trees beginning to bloom, prospects fair, except for peaches; grass growing slowly. Michigan—General ruiu, very beneficial to wheat, rye, meadows nnd pastures, which are Improving and greening up nicely; oat pea and barley seeding well advanced, but gerniinatlng'alowly: soil l» tine condition for plowing; early potato planting liecondng general: sugar beet seeding Itegun. Wisconsin—Copious, well distributed rains last of week very beta-tlelal to growing crops, but too cold for vegetation to make rapid progress. High winds Tuesday caused considerable damage to fruit trees and buds; wheat and rye In good condition, but making slow progress: early sown grains germinating well; meadows and pastures starting slowly; cranberry marshes being drained; winter killing about us usual, bat more than Inst year. Minnesota—Heavy snow in central part of Red River Valley on 22d delayed work seriously. elsewhere all seeding finished, except for flax: abundant and very la-nefleial rains In previously dry portions on 25th; early seeded grains coming up slowly; warm weather needed; preparations being made for planting corn nnd potatoes; frosts on two mornings. low<i—Drought broken by copious showers: grain and grass showing marked improvement; potato planting in progress; large area ready for corn and planting begun Tn southern half of State; soil condition never better; fruit blossoms coming ns early as usual; some damage by high winds. North Dakota—Severe snowstorm Tuesday practically stopped wheat seeding In eastern portion, but It will la* generally resumed this week; cold, frosty nights have also retarded wheat seeding In northern portion; ground Is generally wet and cold. South Dakota—Snow and generous rains fore part of week Interrupted semilug, lint much Improved soil condition; spring wheat and oat sowing nearing completion; much early sown up and making fair growth; germination or later sown much Improved; no frost Injury; grass Improved and affords pasturage; tree buds opening. Nebraska—High winds and lack of rain very unfavorable for winter wheat In southern counties and crop has deteriorated; oats rather poor stand and have suffered considerably from high wind and slightly from frost: good rain on 23th In northern counties, very beneficial: winter wheat not damaged by temperature extremes, but by lack or moisture, and only In a few southern eonntlcs Is damage serious. Kansas—No damage from high temperatures of previous week; wheat doing well In eastern nnd southern counties, but damages by wind and drought in central and northern: corn planting continues, nearly finished In south, where cultivation Is In progress; oats, flux nnd alfalfa doing well; grass growing slightly: apples, cherries and plums blooming in north. Edward Hawley, aged about 41 years, was shot nnd instantly killed by his brother, James Hawley, who is aboilt 60 years of age, in their saloon nt Itiver and Nineteenth streets, Detroit, Mich. The murder was caused by an argument between the brothers in regard to the purchase of a boat. The Topeka City Council has authorized au offer of $550,000 for the water works there, now owned by a corporation. A sharp earthquake shock was felt in 8a u Francisco.