Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1897 — FROST WILL NOT HURT. [ARTICLE]

FROST WILL NOT HURT.

Crop* Are Now Said to Be Entirely Out of Its Way. The weather bureau in its report of crop conditions for the week says: The week has been favorable for ripening and securing crops, but in the Central Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, Tennessee and over portions of the Middle and South Atlantic States, it has been too dry for fallowing and seeding of fall grain. The exceptionally warm weather of the first* half of the mouth matured corn rapidly, and has placed nearly the whole crop beyond injury from frost. Owing to drought conditions in seme of the more important States the grain, particularly the late crop, did not fill well, and the reports indicate that much will be chaffy. Cutting has progressed rapidly under favorable conditions. Cotton has continued to open very rapidly and picking has been vigorously carried on. The reports indicate the bulk of the crop will be secured by Oct. 15. The weather conditions on the Pacific coast have been favorable, the absence of rain in California being especially advantageous for curing raisins and drying fruit. In Oregon and Washington the damage to grain by rains of the two preceding weeks is considered light. State reports follow: Illinois —Dryness and heat was broken th# 14th, and slight frost in the north half Saturday and Sunday morning, with only slight damage to latest fields of corn. Corn, with late and early, dry and much in shock, with cutting completed this week; yield fair to good, but much light, chaffy corn and some late fields only fodder. Plowing and wheat seeding resumed under difficulties; drills still running in some fields. Wisconsin —First of week warm, followed by well distributed rains and decidedly cool weather, with light frost in low places. Hot weather matured corn rapidly and two-thirds of crop now ripe. Late plantings require week to ten days. Cutting being pushed vigorously. Good crop now assured., Michigan—Corn Is good crop; nearly all safe from frost and cutting all under way. Buckwheat fine crop and cutting in progress. In six southern counties fall seeding is still delayed by dry spell, and rain is also much needed to germinate seed already sown. Late potatoes generally matured, but yielding lightly. All fall fruits except pears and grapes yield very poor. South Dakota—Warm days and scattered light rains favorable for corn. The early and middling late well matured and a very good crop generally. The grain of the latest shrunken some Jn many localities by frost of IGth and 17th and preceding hot winds, but will make good stock food. Nebraska—Corn maturing nicely, and most of the corn crop made and cannot be inlured by frost. Frosts in northern counties, but generally light, and only slight damage done to late corn on low lands in a few counties. Large acreage of,winter wheat being sown, and early sown coming up nicely. Missouri—Good showers in some sections, but over large portions of state drought practically unbroken. Where good rains fell pastures Improving and wheat sowing progressing. Kains too late to benefit corn; cutting completed in many places. Late corn very light and much of it chaffy. Frost would do little damage. Cotton picking progressing, crop greatly shortened by drought. lowa—Three days hot weather, followed by copious rains and sharp frosts. Greater part of corn crop being matured, the damage by frosts is not extensive. Potatoes and f garden truck suffered greatest Injury. Plowng and seeding of all grain progressing. Winter apples badly hurt by drought. Indiana—Numerous local rains, and hot weather ended on Thursday. Light, harmless hoar frost formed Saturday morning. Corn matured and dried rapidly, most Is cut and In shock and that still standing Is safe from danger from frost. A fair crop of tobacco is being housed rapidly. Seeding wheat progressed slowly only; fanners are waiting for more rain. Ohio—Very warm, sunny and dry until showers 16th; cool and dry since then, with light frost 18th in some places. Late corn, late potatoes, late tobacco, pastures, gardens, apples, grapes, and wheat and rye In ground badly Injured by drought. Early corn about half cut, late generally beyond frost, but not nearly so promising as ten days ago.