Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1899 — FOR GOOD CROPS. [ARTICLE]

FOR GOOD CROPS.

Weather During the Week Favorable for Small Graine. Last week was marked by weather conditions highly favorable for the growth and development of small grain crops, but only moderately so for corn and for the prosecution of spring work. It was cool early without approaching the frost line, and there were somewhat general showers over a large part of the great central valleys. In spite of a week which for winter wheat would be almost ideal the crop not only failed to* make progress, but distinctly went backward over the greater part of the wheat belt. No new conditions have arisen which may be looked upon as responsible for this marked failure of the crop to respond to favorable surroundigns. When the crop fails to respond, as this one has done, to six weeks of almost perfect weather conditions, it may be accepted as a settled fact that there is no hope of any recovery before harvest, no matter how ideal the season may prove. Wheat harvest has begun in Texas, and while the general harvest is likely to be a few days later than usual next week will show the beginning of cutting in more Southern districts of commercial importance. The general impression that because the crop is to be a very short one there will be little or no movement of grain at the usual time is erroneous. Especially in the Southwest wheat is a money crop, the main dependence of the farm, and a certain proportion will be sold from the thrasher just as it always is. Weather conditions remain highly favorable for spring wheat, and with the luxuriant stooling which is induced by continued cool, moist weather, is giving the crop a sturdy vigor which will enable it to withstand the certain vicissitudes of the later season better than usual. The week was only moderately favorable for corn planting, too much moisture retarding work in some important districts of the belt. An enormous acreage is being planted, undoubtedly an area sufficiently large to make the breadth for this crop the largest on record. Prior to this year the largest acreage was in 1895, when 82,000,000 acres was officially reported. Last year nearly 78,000,000 acres was so reported, and a 10 per cent increase, which does not now seem at all improbable, would give an area this year in excess of 84,000,000 and possibly equaling 85,000,000 acres.