Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1902 — GENERAL CROP CONDITIONS. [ARTICLE]

GENERAL CROP CONDITIONS.

Temperature la Highly Favorable Throughout Middle West. The crop report issued by the weather bureau gives the following general summary of crop conditions in the country. Drought of considerable severity generally prevails from Virginia and the Carolinas westward over Kentucky,* Tennessee and the northern portion of the central and east gulf States, including eastern Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, ami the southern portions of Illinois and Indiana, while heavy and damaging, rains have continued in Texas, portions of the Missouri valley ami lower lake region. Kains are generally badly needed in the central and southern Rocky Mountain districts. The temperature conditions have been highly favorable, except in New England, New York and Texas, where it has been too cool, and in California, where excessive heat has caused some deciduous fruit to ripen faster than it could be handled. _______ The coni crop has experienced another week of exceptionally favorable conditions over much the greater part of the principal corn area, the least favorable reports being received from southeastern Missouri anil southern Illinois, where the crop is being injured by drought. A fine yield is promised in Kansas, Nebraska. Indiana and, over much the greater part of Missouri, Illinois and Ohio. In lowa, where the crop has suffered much in previous weeks from heavy rains and lack of cultivation, corn is improving, and in the early fields is earing heavily. In the middle Atlantic States and to the southward of the Ohio river corn has suffered much from drought in sections, especially the early planted. Showers have prevented the completion of the winter wheat harvest in the lake region. New England and -the northern, portion of the middle Atlantic States, where damage to wheat in shock is quite extensively reported: elsewhere harvesting is completed, except on the Pacific coast, where it is progressing rapidly in Oregon and has begun in Washington. Late spring wheat needs rain in portions of South Dakota, and rust is appearing in North Dakota, but on the whole its condition is very promising. The crop is ripening rapidly in the northern portion and harvesting has begun in the southern portion of the spring wheat region. In portions of southern Minnesota fields are too wet for the binders. Oat harvesting is progressing under difficulties in the upper Mississippi valley and lake region, where the crop is badly lodged, and fields in some sections are too wet for the reapers. Notwithstanding these adverse conditions, the general outlook for a large yield is favorable, especially in the Missouri and upper Ohio valleys and the northern portion of the middle Atlantic States. The northern portions of the eastern and central districts of the cotton belt continue to suffer from drought, the effects of which are beginning to be more, seriously felt especially on uplands. Oujff side the drought area in the districts named the crop is making very favorable progress, the plant being heavily fruited. General and heavy rains in Texas were very beneficial in western counties, but they were not needed elsewhere in that State. These rains have caused very rapid growth and the plant is heavily fruited, but considerable damage by boll weevil, boll worm, and shedding are reported. Hot and dry weather is now needed In Texas to permit cultivation and check ravages by insects. Picking continues in the southern counties and has commenced in the central counties, but has been retarded by frequent rains. Tobacco is suffering from drought in Tennessee, Virginia and portions of Kentucky and Maryland. In the other tobacco States the reports'are generally promising. Dry weather in the Carolinas has been very favorable for curing. ‘As a rule the generaUoutlook* sot apples continues unpromising, although in some sections a good crop is promised. The most favorable reports are received from New England, eastern and northern New York, Michigan ami of Illinois. Kansas and Oklahoma. The bulk of a good hay crop has been secured in the States of the central valleys. In the lake region and northern portion of the middle Atlantic States haying continues, but has been considerably delayed by rains and much has been damaged.