Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1902 — WEEKLY SUMMARY OF CROPS. [ARTICLE]

WEEKLY SUMMARY OF CROPS.

Frosts, Though General in Northern Districts, Do liut Slight Harm. Following is the Agricultural Department’s weekly summary of crop conditions: Although the week was cool in the central valleys and lake region, with more than the average rainfall in portions of the upper Mississippi valley, maturing crops have made generally favorable though not rapid advancement. The greater part of Texas, in which severe drouth prevailed at the close of the previous week, has received abundant rainfall, and drouth conditions in the middle Atlantic coast districts also have been largely relieved, but the interior of tihe middle Atlantic States, Ohio valley and portions of the lower lake region and south Atlantic States continue to need rain. Light to heavy frosts were very general in the northern districts from Montana to New England and the middle Atlantic States from the 3d to the Glh, with but slight injury. Rain is much needed in Washington and Oregon, but otherwise the general conditions on the Pacific coast were favorable. Notwithstanding the prevalence of low temperatures throughout tile corn belt and copious rainfalls in portions of the Mississippi valley, the corn crop has made very satisfactory advancement toward maturity and wholly escaped injury in the States eastward of the Mississippi river from frosts occurring on the 4tth and sth, with but slight injury in the States to the westward. The bulk of the corn crop in Missouri and Kansas and much of the early planted in Nebraska and the States of the Ohio valley is now safe. In lowa, where corn has ripened very slowly, two-thirds of the crop probably will be safe by Sept. 20 and the rest will require ten days longer. The thrashing of spring wheat, although further retarded, lias made more favorable progress than in the previous week. Texas ami a large part of the central and eastern districts or the cotton belt have received abundant rainfall during the past week, but it is doubtful whether the beneficial effects of these rains to iate cotton will offset the injury done to the open staple. In the States of the upper lake region the reports respecting apples are favorable, while those from New York and New Knglnnd are variable, indicating a very light crop in some sections, with plentiful yields in others. In the Ohio valley and most of the middle Atlantic States the outlook continues very i>oor. Plowing for fall seeding has made more favorable advancement in the Southern States and Missouri valley, but in the Ohio valley and portions of the middle Atlantic States and the lake region the soil is too dry for this work.