People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1894 — THE CROPS. [ARTICLE]

THE CROPS.

Interesting Report as to Their Condition . in the Northwest. Chicago, Aug. I.—The reports as to the condition of crops throughout the northwest, and the general influence j of the weather on growth, cultivation I and harvest, was made by the direct- ' ors of the different state weather I services of the United States weather bureau. The reports received by teleI graph here are as foHows: | Illinois—Temperature above normal; rains ever considerable part of state of Immense benefit to crops. Of ninety-nine counties, | thirty-one indicate corn good. There is damage of 25 to 50 per cent., mostly on upland fields; bottom lands generally good. Indiana—Badly distributed showers since Friday and rains the preceding week sustained corn in many fields; corn in heavy soil in best condition; good color, tasseling and ears api pearing; but on light and clay soil corn has | suffered much; rain in five to ten days will se- ' cure a good crop still. Wisconsin—Another week of drought and excessive heat. Corn and potatoes suffering severely: will be a failure in some counties; corn still lookswell in eastern section: pastures dead, stock being fed and milk short. Many hay and cranberry marshes burned. lowa—Reports show great damage to corn by drouth and hot winds. With favorable future conditions this state may possibly harvest half crop, but every day’s continuance of drouth lowers prospect for that amount. Small grain yields better than expected. Minnesota —Hot and dry, harvest progressing; pasturage poor; hay mostly secured; potatoes suffering; corn acreage very large, stand good, growth heavy and well advanced. Drought at critical stage did great damage and ears will be small; considerable being cut for feed; chinch bugs have also done much injury. South Dakota:—Excessively dry hot weather very Injurious to all growing crops. Corn mostly in tassel and silk; damaged and ears not setting; In northern portion will make fair crop with immediate rain; elsewhere mostly Injured beyond redemption; many farmers cutting for fodder. Ohio—Drouth damaging corn, tobacco, late potatoes and grass. Bottom land corn is still in fair condition, but uplands seriously damaged; present prospect for poor development and yield below the average. Wheat thrashing out well: oats light; tobacco fair to bad; firing some. Michigan—Corn shows half of acreage good; third, medium fair; sixth, poor; growth uneven; estimate will increase or diminish according to future rainfall; pastures drying up; wheat, oats, rye and barley harvested. Nebraska—Corn is almost ruined west of 99 meridian, except in extreme northwest counties where very little is grown; in remainder of state advices indicate that in northern part two-thirds to three-quarters crop ruined, and in south part varies from 10 to 90 per cent ruined. The continued drought over the principal corn-producing states of the central valleys and northwest states has resulted in great damage to the corn crops. Very unfavorable reports as to the condition of the crops are received from South Dakota, lowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma, while less unfavorable reports came from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, the crop in those states suffering greatly on the upland. In the southern states corn is generally in excellent condition, and in Georgia the heaviest crop for many years is predicted. Reports as to cotton continue very favorable, although some slight injurj- has resulted from excessive cloudiness and heavy local rains in portions of South Carolina and Florida. Tobacco is doing well in Tennessee and in some portions of Maryland,Virginia and Kentucky, but reports from Ohio are unfavorable. Denver. Col, July 31.—Dispatches from six counties in eastern Colorado, along the Kansas and Nebraska lines, report that owing to the hot winds the crops will be a total failure. Many farmers are Laving in search of employment, and many more would go if they could get away. Great suffering and hardships will surely result, as the crop was very light last wear.