Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 July 1903 — CROPS DOING BETTER. [ARTICLE]

CROPS DOING BETTER.

GENERAL CONDITIONS NOW RE* PORTED ENCOURAGING. Deter lor at lon la Wheat in North Da* kota oa Account of Drought—Corn Shows Improvement, Though It Is Late in Western Portions of Belt. Following is the official weekly crop report of the Department of Agriculture: Throughout! the central valleys, the lake region, the Atlantic coast districts, and the northern portiou of the Southern States the week lias been decidedly cool, and the Atlantic coast and the east gulf districts have suffered from continuous rains. t While too cool for rapid growth, crops have made favorable advancement in the central valleys. Warmth and sunshine are greatly needed in the Atlantic coast and the east gulf districts. Further improvement in the condition of corn is generally reported, and while the crop continues late it is making good growth over the western portion of the corn belt, the condition of the crop in lowa now closely approximating the average. 'Tn the middle Atlantic States corn has made slow growth and is backward and much in need of cultivation. Except over local areas the weather conditions have been favorable for winter wheat harvest in the central valleys, but this work has been interrupted by rains iu the middle Atlantic States. A marked improvement in the condition of winter wheat is reported from New York and Michigan, and the crop is maturing rapidly and is in good condition in Nebraska. In North Dakota there has been a decided deterioration in the condition of spring wheat as a result of drought, which also has proved damaging iu portions of South Dakota and northern Minnesota. The crop continues promising in Wisconsin, lowa and Nebraska. Decided improvement is reported from Washington and Oregon, except in central Washington, where drought is causing injury. Report* bjr States. Illinois Wheat harvest Is progressing In the central portion, hut yield Is below average; coni backward, too cool for gorwth, fields generally clean; oats and grass Improved since rains; clover heavy, yield good quality; small fruits promising; apples continue dropping badly; potatoes promise heavy yield. Indiana—Temperature much below average, otherwise weather favorable; threshing wheat In south section, where there Is not half a crop, elsewhere prospeets are better, hut less than average promised; corn late and growing slowly but clean; oats Improved, but rust prevalent; good crop of clover being saved; minor crops In fair condition; prospe. t for apples improved, light to good yields promised. Ohio-Wheat harvest progressing, considerable damage by rust and fly In south; early oats heading short, late doing well; coni small and Iu places in north yellow, cultivation in progress; tobacco doing fairly well; clover fair; timothy improving, but weedy; early potatoes In market; gardens good; weather favorable for apples. Michigan—Ample showt rs followed by warmer weather caused marked improvement In wheat, rye, outs, barley, peas and meadows; corn small and weedy, but improving rapidly; sugar beets and early potatoes doing well. Wisconsin—Corn Improved, hut still backward; winter rye seriously injured In Wisconsin valley by late frost, elsewhere heading well; winter wheat good; oats, barley, spring wheat, and rye satisfactory. Minnesota—Rains at end of week Insufficient In dry portions. Injury by drought in northern half of State to oats, barley, and flax 011 sandy soils and spring plowed lands, but wheat, oats, and barley on fall plowed lands and clay soil are standing drought safely. lowa—Conditions favorable for spring wheat, oats, and barley, which are heading and Ailing satisfactorily; corn cultivation continued with little interruption and early planted corn Is close to teu-year average in si7.e and condition. South Dakota—Beneficial rains; favorable weather, except in some northern counties, where damaging drought, especially to spring wheat and oats, was generally broken Sunday night; elsewhere spring wheat, oats, barley, rye, grasses, flax and potatoes generally thrifty. Rainfall in Northwest. The following'figures show the rainfall in Minnesota. Nqrth Dakota and South Dakota for four weeks of June, showing tile departure from the normal: PRECIPITATION. Total June Total defour weeks, pnrturc. Duluth. Minn. 78 —3.52 St. Paul, Minn. 50 —3.50 Moorhead. Minn 80 —3.32 Yankton, 8. p- .....3.32 .08 Huron. 8. I>. .’. 1.08 —1.65 Bismarck. N. I> -....1.02 —2.33 Willlston, N. D 73 —2.52