Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1903 — COLD HOLDS BACK CROPS. [ARTICLE]

COLD HOLDS BACK CROPS.

Unseasonable Weather Proving a Serious Injury in Mauy Sections. The crop report issued b.v the weather, bureau says the week ending June 15*; was abnormally cool in nearly all districts east of the Rocky Mountains, the minimum temperatures from the 10th to the 13th throughout the central valleys and Southern States being the lowest of record for the second decade of June, and heavy frosts were of general occurrence in the upper Missouri valley, with light frosts as far south as Tennessee. Under these conditions the growth of vegetation has been slow, but with a very general absence of rain or light local showers in the central valleys much needed cultivation has made favorable progress. The long continued and disastrous drought in New England and the northern portion of the middle Atlantic States has been wholly relieved, being succeeded in some sections by flood conditions, and the widespread forest fires in these districts extinguished. Generally favorable conditions prevailed on the Pacific coast. While planting, replanting and cultivation of corn in the central valleys has been vigorously pushed, considerable planning- remains unfinished-in the northern districts. Corn is unusually late and haa made very slow growth under the low temperatures of the past week. In these middle and south Atlantic States Hhe crop is mnch in" need of cultivation (ind ip the Southern States is largely aid by. Spring wheat is in generally thrifty condition, but needs rain in portions of the Dakotas. Over the southern portion of the spring wheat region the condition of the crop is very promising. Oats have made favorable advancement iu the lower Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys. but need rain in the Dakotas. In Micnigan the crop is backward and uneven, and while an iijipcorfment la indicated in the Ohio valley a light yield ia promised in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Cotton continues very backward, having made slow growth under abnormally low temperatures. All reports respecting tobacco indicate that this crop has made favorable progress. Except in Michigan and the Ohio valley and middle Atlantic States, where a light yield of hay is indicated, the genera] outlook for this crop continues .promising. Winter wheat harvest is in progress as far north as the southern portions of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Virginia. While an improvement in the condition of this crop is indicated in northern Illinois, Ohio and over the northern portion of the middle Atlantic States, it has suffered deterioration over a large part of the winter wheat belt as a result of insects and increasing rust In California the crop is maturing rapidly and harvest la in progress, with heavy yields. In Oregon and Washington winter wheat Is- handing short, but with good heads in Oregon. ■ \