People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 August 1894 — WEATHER AND CROPS. [ARTICLE]

WEATHER AND CROPS.

The Government’s Weekly Report—Corn in Bad Shape. Chicago, Aug. 8. —The reports as to the condition of crops throughout the country and the general influence of weather on growth, cultivation and harvest was to-day made by the directors of the different state weather services of the United States weather bureau. The reports received by telegraph at Chicago are as follows: Illinois—Temperature below normal, sunshine above normal and rainfall below and badly distributed, in some sections none being received. Late rains beneficial to corn, pasture and gardens. Wheat and oat thrashing still progressing. Some plowing for wheat.' Indiana—Few local showers and cool weather benefltted corn in good soil; that In light and clay ground needs rain much. Wheat and oat thrashing continued, yield good. Wisconsin—First of week hot and last cool, with light frosts on 3d, injuring cranberries considerably. No rain except light local showers. Corn and potatoes permanently injured by drought and generally past help. Pastures dried up in all sections and dairies suffering severely. lowa—Partial relief was afforded last week by local showers and low temperatures, but the drought is unbroken. Corn and other un harvested crops are steadily losing ground. Minnesota—Drought unbroken but cooler with light frosts Thursday and Friday doing slight damage. Harvest well along. Wheat yielding better than expected. Corn, potatoes and pastures drying. South Dakota—Continued drought but cooler. Wheat, oats and barley harvest will be completed this week. Except in scattered localities, drought Injury to corn, flax and millet irreparable and farmers cutting corn for fodder. Hay light and scarce and potatoes suffering. Ohio—Local rains have benefited corn, potatoes and tobacco considerably, but the distribution was very irregularly made. Corn on low ground promises well, but on hilly ground, especially in north part of state, the damage is Irreparable. Wheat yield is good. Tobacco doing well. Fruits scarce and of poor quality. Missouri—Rainfall badly distributed and drought continues in many counties. In southwest section corn in good condition with prospects for whole crop; in other sections it has improved in some counties while others show a decline. Michigan—Drought still on and corn, potatoes, beans and pastures suffering severely; some corn being cut for fodder; corn deteriorating. Light frost 3d and 4th did slight damage. While lowland corn has improved somewhat during the week in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, the showers that have fallen in those states have been insufficient to help the crops in the uplands. In Michigan, lowa, Nebraska and South Dakota the condition of the corn, except over very limited areas, is more serious than was reported last week, and it is being cut for fodder in South Dakota, Nebraska and Michigan. Throughout the southern states corn is reported as in excellent condition, and a fine crop is practically assured in South Carolina. Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi Upon the whole reports as to the condition of cotton continue favorably although too much rain has interfered with picking in Texas and caused shedding and rust to some extent in South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. The cranberry crop, which has previously sustained injury from forest fires in New Jersey and Wisconsin has been further damaged in the lust named state by recent frosts. In Ohio tobacco is suffering severely from drought. Spring wheat is progressing rapidly and will be completed in South Dakota this week. In Minnesota the yield is better than was expected, but in North Dakota the berry has been shrunken by premature ripening.