Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1875 — Summary of the Crop Reports. [ARTICLE]

Summary of the Crop Reports.

While U carefiil study of the remarkable array of crop reports we are able to give our readers will be welt repaid, some general deductions may be made. Wheat.—The reports clearly indicate that the acreage of wheat this year in the Western States is much less than lastyear. Thus in Illinois but throe reports indicate increased acreage, while twice as many show but one-half as much, or even less. In Wisconsin no report showsan increase, but two an equal acreage, while seven show not more than one-half. In lowa nearly the same condition is shown. In Michigan the acreage was not materially reduced. In some of the newer States increased acreage is reported. ■ As to condition the reports are not unfavorable, a majority of all die reports indicating at least an average condition.' Michigan makes ii poor showing; Illinois stands well. Wisconsin r.nd lowa vary largely, but the general average is not bad. Corn.—Undoubtedly the acreage planted to corn in the West was larger than in any former year. In Illinois no report'shows less acreage than last year, most an increase of 20 or 25 per cent. In lowa the same is true, with several reports of an increaseof 50 per cent. Wisconsin is not a great corn State, but shows an increase of at least 25 percent, in acreage. Michigan and Missouri also show a considerable increase. The report of condition is not so good as is desirable,, but it is probable many of the unfavorable reports indicate lateness of the crop rather than bad condi tion otherwise. Hearing in mind the comparative quantities grown in the different States and our rejiorts show a prospect at middle of June of about four-fifths of an average crop. Oats. —The acreage in oats is considerably increased over that of last year, and the general prosiiect is of at least a full average crop. Illinois gives several reports of less than average condition; Michigan, Wisconsin, lowa, etc., in nearly all cases showing good prospects. Barley. —Illinois shows a reduced acreage, lowa and Wisconsin and Nebraska an increase. The prospect for a crop as a whole is below an average. Flax.—Almost without exception, where reported at all, an increased acreage of flax is indicated, with very .general good condition. Grass and Clover. —There is a large increase of acreage of grass and clover, and that newly sown is generally in fine condition. The old meadows and pastures are in poor condition in many cases. Potatoes. —There is an increased acreage and at least average condition. Insect Injuries.—ln very few cases is an increase of injury from insects, compared with last year, reported. Of course this does not include the grasshopper districts, but there are many more cases in which the grasshoppers have done less injury than last year than where they have done more. Chinch and potato bugs are very plentiful in many places, but, as a whole, not so numerous" as last year. It is a cause of rejoicing that, although there are few regions in which some erep does not make a poor showing, and in a ntimber of localities most crops look unpromising, the general crop prospect, especially in Illinois. Michigan, lowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, is of an aggregate full average yield of the great farm staples. Singularly enough, of all our large number of readers in Minnesota no one sent us a report. Some of them doubtless were busy destroying grasshoppers. The general’ prospect for crops in the State is not discouraging.—ll wtern liuralrJune 2G.