Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1902 — CONDITION OF CROPS. [ARTICLE]

CONDITION OF CROPS.

WEEKLY REPORT IBSUED BY THE WEATHER BUREAU. Winter Wheat Making Satisfactory Progress—Corn Is Doing Well—Encouraging Outlook for Cotton—Peach and Apple Trees Injured by Frost, The weekly crop report issued by the weather bureau says: From the upper Mississippi valley eastward to the New England and middle Atlantic coasts the week was decidedly cold and unfavorable to growth, with light to heavy frosts, causing much damage .to fruit in the northern portion of the middle Atlantic States and in New England. The temperature conditions in the Southern States, Missouri valley nnd throughout thi' Rocky Mountain and Pacific coast districts were favorable, highly so or the north Pacific coast. Drought continues in Florida and over portions of the east gulf and south Atlantic States, and rain is generally needed in the Ohio valley and middle Atlantic States, ltains have afforded relief locally in the middle and southern Rocky Mountain districts, but more is needed in those sections. The greater part of the upper hike region and portions of the upper Mississippi, upper Missouri and Red River of the North valleys are suffering from excessive moisture. Owing to excessive rains little or no corn has yet been planted in Minnesota and Widbonsin, and planting has been delayed in South Dakota and northern lowa, but generally throughout the central valleys and middle Atlantic States this work lias made rapid progress. Good stands are generally reported in the Mississippi and Missouri valleys, but cut worms are impairing tile stands in the Ohio valley and Tennessee. In Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas the crop has made rapid growth, and much has been laid in Texas. The last week lias not been unfavorable to winter wheat, and generally the crop has made satisfactory progress, the least favorable reports being received from the Ohio valley and middle Atlantic Sfatesi. while a decided improvement is reported from Nebraska. The crop lias made slow growth in the Ohio valley and middle Atlantic States. Imt lias advanc'd rapidly in the lower Missouri valley. ;n tlie southern portion of which it is now heading. Lodging is threatened in parts of Missouri. The north Pacific coast region has experienced a week highly favDrable to the wheat crop, which is much improved in that section. The crop continues in excellent. Condition in central and northern California, but is in poor condition in the southern part of the State. Early sown spring wheat lias germinated well and is making vigorous growth, especially in the southern portion as the spring wheat region. Owing to continued rains much of the crop is yet to be sown, not more than half the intended acreage having been sown in North l>akota. Oats harvest has begun in South Carolina. ami the crop is ripening in Texas, while seeding continues in the northern districts. Thjs crop has made generally satisfactory progress in the States of the central valleys, but has deteriorated in the east gulf States, where it is heading low and not filling well. Further improvement in the condition as meadows is indicated in the States of the Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys. the lake region and New England, but less favorable reports are received from the t Olio valley and middle Atlantic States.

Reports front Western States, Illinois—Weather conditions generally favorable for growth of vegetation, though It was quite eool toward the latter part of week; showers occurred over most of State; wheat, rye, outs, meadows, pastures nnd gardens improved; corn being planted and mueh np to good stands; potatoes doing well; prospect for peaches, blackberries uud raspberries poor; apples fair to good; other fruits good. Indltinn—Heavy rains; ground too wet to work In northern tier of counties; lighter showers, unevenly distributed and Insutti elent In central section; droughty eoudltlous continue in south section; too cold over entire State for rapid growth of vegetation; rye in excellent condition; wheat improved, but light, and fields spotted: outs doing fair l.v well; corn planting well advanced, some coming np. being damaged by cut worms; fly damaging wheat In Washington County. Ohio—Light preelpltatlou; cool lust of week, with light to killing frosts on the 10th; some lujnry to small fruits and gardens; wheat slightly Improved: oats, rye and barley doing well; corn being plauted, germinating well, but cut worms are at work lit south; Insects Injuring tobacco; potatoes and gar dens doing fairly well; grass is growing slowly; pastures Improved. Michigan—Cold and wet; soil has delayed field work and retarded germination of late oats and peas; early outs, peas and hurley germinated* lltcely and are making fair, growth: whekt. rye. meadows and pastures Hutch Improved: coru planting and sugar beet seeding In progress; early fruit and strawberries blossoming heavily and appear not damaged by frost nnd snow. Wisconsin-Week cool, with freezing temperature latter |»art In north nnd central counties; generally copious to heavy rains; snow Friday night and Saturday, three to six Inches In central counties; no damage except, possibly to fruit In few localities. Little farm work done, but preparations for corn well advanced; winter wheat, rye and spring grains making slow growth, hut eondlHtoi satisfactory; pastures nud meadows ex^Wlent. lowa—Cool and wet weather has been fa vorahle for grass and smull grain; corn planting delayed but ncurlug completion In southern and well begun In extreme northern counties: germination satisfactory and soil In flue till: general crop prospects never better ut middle of May. South Dakota Seasonable temperature; well distributed rains; spring wheat In very healthy condition: early sown making vigorous growth, latest germluntlng nicely: outs nnd barley making good growth, sowing nearly completed; corn planting becoming general, retarded by rains; jinsturage good; potato planting advanced, flax sowing gonvrai; fruits in bloom. Nebraska Week warm, with good showers. very favorable for growth of vegetation; winter wheat very much Improved; rye heading In southern counties with short straw; oats and grass In pastures Improved; corn planting has progressed rnpldlv, nnd early planted coming up nicely In southern counties. Missouri—Drought In northwest relieved temporarily; corn ami cotton coming up to good stands, cultivation general; wheat Improving In northwest, bonding In central anil south, some becoming too rank nnd In dun ger of falling; oats, Max, grasses nnd minor crops making good progress; apples somewhat less promising, fsllcd to set; much damage by caterpillars In north. Kansas-General rains nnd warmer; belter conditions Improving oats, corn, grass nnd the soil; wheat heudiiig In south and central, hut much plowed up central and north; corn growing rapidly, cultivation more general; pastures nnd cattle Improving; sirswherries ripe In extreme south.

Yale University bestowed the degree ol LL. D. on Lord Kelvin of England.