Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1902 — COLD RETARDS CROPS [ARTICLE]

COLD RETARDS CROPS

WEATHER NOT FAVORABLE TO RAPID MATURING. The Outlook for Corn In Promising— Spring Wheat Harvests Nearly Fin-ished-Government Report Tells Reason of Setback. The latest crop report issued by the weather bureau says the week has not been favorable for the fapid maturing of crops in the northern districts east of the Missoupri valley, where it has been abnormally cool, with excessive rains in portions of the Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys, while hot and generally dry weather prevailed in the Southern States and the protracted drought continued in the middle Rocky Mountain districts. Continuing, the report says: Corn continues in very promising condition in the principal corn States, in the more northerly portions of which, however, it has not matured rapidly under the low temperatures which, prevailed during the week. The reports indicate that early corn over the northern portion of the corn belt will be safe from frost by Sept. 1 to 15, and the late crop from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1, while over the southern portions of the corn belt some of the early corn is already matured, and the late will be safe by Sept. 15 to 23. Spring wheat harvest is nearly finished in the Dakotas, and has progressed under favorable conditions in northern Minnesota. but was interrupted by showers in the southern portion of the State, in which the crop generally has ripened slowly and unevenly. In lowa wheat in shock has been injured, and a large percentage ruined by wet weather. Further reports of damage to oats are received from the Ohio and upper Mississippi valleys. Harvesting is unfinished only, in some localities in the more northerly portions of the New England and middle Atlantic States.

Late cotton has improved in the Carolinas, Mississippi and Louisiana, and in portions of Missouri and Tennessee. Rust and shedding are very generally reported throughout the belt, with premature opening in portions of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. In Texas cotton is opening rapidly and picking is becoming general, but the crop has deteriorated on account of excessive heat, shedding and ravages of boll worms and weevil. YV’hile some damage has resulted from the hot, dry weather in Oklahoma amLlndinu Territory, where the crop is maturing fast, picking is in progress, a large yield of good quality is indicated. Special telegraphic reports were received from: . Illinois—Cool: heavy rains north; good showers in central and most of south; threshing nearly done; good yield of wheat and rye; oats better than expected; corn in tine condition, but maturing slowly lu north and considerable damage by chinehbugs south: pastures, broom corn, gardens and potatoes good; potatoes rotting somewhat; apple crop large tn central district, fair In north and south. Indiana —In southwest counties vegetation has been injured by drought, which was* broken during the last days" of the Week, elsewhere showers delay threshing, wheat and oats being damaged; corn and potatoes exceptionally promising: millet, second crop of clover, tobacco, tomatoes and pastures doing well; apple crop light, fruit falling. Ohio—Corn advanced slowly, oats yielding heavily, but injured somewhat In shock; seed clover promises fair crop; late potatoes, gardens and tobacco doing well, latter being cut; grapes rotting a little; pears fair, apples more promising In northern part. Michigan—Cool weather continues to retard growth of corn, which Is earing nicely, but Is small and backward; frosts In upper peninsula ami northern counties did some damage to corn, potatoes and garden truck; tine crop of oats mostly secured; beans nnd late potatoes in fair condition; sugar beets and apples continue promising. Wisconsin—Continued cool; frost did some damage to corn aud potatoes In north section. light elsewhere; moderate rains delayed threshing aud sticking; corn Improving, eared and silked; wheat, rye and barley good yle.d, but last named somewhat darif; oats heavy, but slightly Inferior quality; tobacco excellent, potatoes heavy crop; apples much improved. Minnesota - bavorable for spring wheat, oats and barley harvest lu north till rains of 17th; wheat ripening slowly and unevenly—stacking and shock threshing stopped in south by s.lowers beginning the 12th; llax cutting well advanced—warmer weather necessary to mature good corn crop before frost. lowa—Week cool with widely distributed excess of rainfall; wheat ami oats In shock Injured nnd huge percentage ruined; corn crop bulky, heavily eared and very green; most advanced corn will likely l>e safe from Sept. 15, a balance of crop about 25th to 3<lth—npples and potatoes doing fairly well. North Dakota- Favorable weather for bar vest st 111 prevails; wheat harvest nearly tin ished tn southern and just commencing in northern portion—oats and barley In shock or stack. Early flax ripening, some cut. late continues poor; corn needs about three weeks for safe maturity. Smith Dakota—Showers considerably benefited corn, flax, potatoes nnd pastures except in north; wheat and oats harvest nearing completion nnd threshing progressing; frost on the lltli seriously damaged considerable late and some early corn, flax and potatoes in middle and northern James and Sioux Valleys. Nebraska—Haying nnd harvesting retarded by rains In northern portion; warm and dry In southern portion; very favorable for progress of work, but soli too dry for plowing; corn growing Well, although needing rain in southern counties, while In southwestern counties crop hns been somewhat damaged by drought; early corn will be safe from frost by .Sept. .5, lute by Sent. 25th. Kansas—Early corn maturing, being cut in many counties, marketed in few. considered safe; late corn suffering for rain; damaged in many central and western counties; safe by Sept. I to 15. Still cutting prairie hay; very heavy crop of grass curing on range In west: apples promise a good crop, but are dropping In places.