Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1903 — GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT. [ARTICLE]

GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT.

tssuiirr Shows Ootobsr to Hava Boon Favorable. The crop summary Issued by tha weather bureau says aa a whole October averaged mild aud was generally favorable for farming operations, although plowing and fall seeding were delayed on account of dry soil in portions of the central Mississippi and Ohio valleys, end late crops in the central and east Gulf States suffered from drought. The middle Atlantic States experienced abnormally heavy rains and very high winds during the latter part of the first decade, causing damaging freshets in northern New Jersey and southeastern New York. Heavy and killing frosts occurred in the central aud east Gulf and south Atlantic States from the 25th to the 28th, with freezing temperatures as far south as the northern portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The month was generally favorable for cotton picking, which work is nearly completed over a large port of the central and eastern districts of the cotton belt, and is progressing rapidly in Arkansas, Oklahoma nnd northeastern Texas, where much of the crop remains to be gathered. In the central Gulf States, Ohio Valley and the States of tlie middle Rocky Mountain slope the absence of rain has materially interfered with fall seeding and the germination of sown grain. In the Missouri Valley, lake region and middle Atlantic States plowing and seeding have been carried on under favorable conditions and germination has been satisfactory. Telegraphic reports were received from the following middle western States: Illinois—Corn practically safe before advent of k!Vlng frost, and under the favorable weather the crop matured beyond expectation. Husking and cribbing progressing; quality good, yield about average; early wheat shows vigorous sprout and good color; late needs rain ■, pastures good, except In south; stock dolug well; poor yield of potatoes; light crop of apples of inferior quality . Indiana—Month dry, with frequent frosts last half; very little corn Injured by frost; cribbing commenced; crop better than expected, but considerably below average, much chaffy; wheat suffering from drought In southern counties and needs rain in all sections; apples mostly gathered, crop light; potato crop light; good crop of tomatoes saved. Ohio —First general killing frost on the 24th; good rains during first week, but remainder of month dry; corn mostly secured without Injury, but husking delayed by dry condition of fodder; wheat seeding about completed, late sown germinated well; acreage aud condition reduced somewhat In south by drought, but plants In good condition In northern half of State; pastures holding out well in north, but are dry In south. Michigan—First decade wet, delaying field work and mnturity of sugar beets and late corn, but middle and last decades very favorable; corn all cut and much husked; sufar beet harvest well advanced and yield air; winter wheat and rye mostly seeded and finely germinated. Wisconsin—Severe storms first week damaged corn and grain in stack In central counties; rest of month fair and pleasant; winter grain made good progress and condition satisfactory; corn drying out well; potato digging completed, crop generally light on account of rot; tobacco curing well; fall pasturage good. - Minnesota —Generally dry weather since 7th; killing frost In south on 26th; corn from native seed on high land good and well matured, but most late corn too soft to keep; threshing and plowing progressing well, but .hindered In south by sort land; potatoes rotting: very little winter wheat. lowa —Month unusually warm, dry and clear; corn crop mostly well matured and being cribbed In good condition; usual farm work well advanced; limited acreage of fall wheat and rye sown and condition excellent; pasturage fine. South Dakota —Rain In the eastern portion during early part of month retarded threshing and haying, and' winds damaged tome grain and hay stacks and broke some corn down; rest of month weather was very favorable; corn matured, drying nicely and cribbing progressing, but probably onefourth of croup unsound; considerable, threshing yet unfinished; potatoes disappointing; plowing backward; winter rye thrifty. Nebraska —Month very favorable for maturing and drying corn, and cribbing and husking were In progress at close of month; dry weather retarded wheat seeding In western counties and was unfavorable for germination and growth; wheat up well and growing .nicely In eastern counties; acreage sown to wheat slightly less than last year; pastures excellent. Kansas —Weather very favorable for farm work; wheat lne stand, some being pastured, sowing nearly finished, corn matured, ears unusually well filled; gathering progressing; no damage by frost except In S few northern counties; forage crops generally secured In good condition, although slightly hart by frost In a few localities; pastures good.