Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1902 — WEEKLY SUMMARY OF THE CROPS [ARTICLE]

WEEKLY SUMMARY OF THE CROPS

Heavy Frost© Do Damage in Northers Portion of the Corn Belt. Following is the Agricultural Department’s weekly crop summary: The week ending Sept. 15 was unusually cool throughout all districts east of the Rocky Mountains, more particularly in the lake region, central valleys and gulf States, with a general absence of rain, or only light precipitation iu the greater part of the area west of the Mississippi river, although heavy rains occurred in portions of Arkansas and Louisiana. Needed rains fell in the Ohio valley, lake region and middle and south Atlantic States, effectually relieving the drouth conditions in those districts. More or less damaging frosts occurred on the 12th, 13th and 14th throughout the Northwest, central valleys and lake region and as far south as Arkansas and the northern portions of Mississippi, Alabama jnd Georgia. The north Pacific coast States continue to need rain, but in other respects the conditions on the Pacific coast were favorable. Late com has been seriously damaged by heavy frosts over the northern portion ©f the corn belt, more especially to the westward of the Mississippi river. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas escaped injury, except in the northern portion, where late corn was damaged. In lowa, northern Nebraska, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin early corn has been seriously injured. It is estimated that more than one-half the crop In lowa and South Dakota was too far advanced to be seriously hurt, but th© bulk of the remainder has been badly damaged. Much corn has been cut over the southern portion of the corn belt, where a fine crop is assured. The weather conditions have been favorable for thrashing spring wheat throughout the principal spring wheat States, except in North Dakota, where high winds have interrupted this work to some extent. The very cool weather has checked the opening of cotton in the central and western portions of the cotton region. Picking, however, has advanced rapidly generally throughout the belt, and, as a rule, under favorable conditions, although pickers have been inadequate in some States. Over the southern portion of the cotton belt the bulk of the crop has been gathered, and in some sections many fields already are abandoned. Rains have caused damage to open cotton in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.