Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 July 1902 — CONDITION OF CROPS [ARTICLE]

CONDITION OF CROPS

COOL WEATHER IN MANY DISTRICTS RETARDS GROWTH. Texas Needs Rain—Winter Wheat Harvest in Some Sections Delayed by Rain—Lack of Moisture Affecting the Prospects fpr Cotton. ■ The weather bureau’s weekly summary at crop conditions'ls as follows: The week ending June 23 was abnormally cool in all districts east of the Rocky Mountains, except along the South Atlantic and gulf coasts, with more or less damaging frosts in the central and northern Rocky Mountain districts, the Dakotas, Minnesoita and portions of lowa and New York. Local showers have afforded relief in portions of the central gulf States and over very limited areas In Texas, but in much of the greater part of that State no rain has fallen and high temperatures have prevailed. Portions of the lower Missouri valley and lower lake region continue to suffer from excessive rains. The conditions on the Pacific coast were favorable notwithstanding the prevalence of hot, drying winds in Washington. The unseasonably low temperatures have checked the growth of corn over the northern portion of the corn belt and cultivation has been retarded by rains in portions of the upper Ohio valley, upper lake region and upper Missouri valley. In the lower Missouri valley, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee and the-middle and southern Atlantic States the crop has made favorable progress. In the central gulf States early corn has been injured seriously by drouth and in Texas the crop is the poorest for a number of years. Winter wheat harvest has been delayed by rain in the lower Missouri valley, but has progressed favorably in the Ohio valley and middle Atlantic States. The crop has experienced no unfavorable conditions during the week, although low temperatures have cheeked ripeniug over the northern portion of the winter wheat States, where the heads are filling well. In Oregon and Washington hot, drying winds have prevailed, but wheat has escaped injury, and in California, where shipments have begun, harvesting continues under favorable conditions. Spring wheat has made excellent progress generally throughout the spring wheat region and is heading in the more northerly portions. Too rank growth, however, is reported from Wisconsin and lowa, with a tendency to rust in the latter State. —— The general outlook for oats continues promising in the States of the central valleys and Northwest, although rank growth and lodging are reported from the central Missouri and upper Missis-* pippi valleys. In Arkansas, Tennessee and western Kentucky prospects have been lessened by drouth. Harvesting has begun as far north as southern Kansas As in the previous week, cotton has experienced favorable conditions over the northern portion of the central and western districts and generally throughout the eastern portion of the cotton belt. Lice, however, are reported more extensively and some fields in South Carolina are grassy. With very little rain in Texas and only scattered showers over the southern portion of the central districts the growth of cotton has been checked, especially in Louisiana and Texas, andin the latter State shedding, blooming to tops and unsatisfactory fruiting are reported, but lice and boll weevil are disappearing.

Western Crop Reports. Missouri—Unseasonably cool; drought In eastern counties relieved; showers interfered with wheat harvest, but no serious damage to wheat In shock; corn exceptionally promising, earliest tasseling; cotton fine; oats generally promise went- hay crop will be very near average; minor crops doing nicely; apples dropping in places, crop generally light; peaches abundant in extreme south, none elsewhere. Illinois—Weather cool, with light rain; wheat harvest in progress; yield disappointing In south, but prospects good north; rye, oats, corn, meadows, potatoes, and gardens good, but corn slightly injured by chinch bugs In south; apples dropping; peaches light crop; small fruits vary from poor to good. Indiana —Temperature averaged below normal; more rain than needed in extreme northwest, but insufficient in extreme southwest counties; some rust on wheat, damage slight; wheat harvest under way In south section, promises good yield; heavy crop of clover being harvested; oats promise'a good crop; corn In excellent condition except In extreme northwest and southwest .counties; applies light crop, falling. Ohio—Wheat cutting began In south; heads fairly well tilled, straw short; corn growing well in south; too cool and wet in north; early potatoes excellent; planting of late potatoes delayed by rain; oats, gardens, pastures, rye, barley, meadows and timothy Improved; clover cutting under way; light except in northwest; tobacco growing well; apples dropping badly; few peaches, pears and plums falling. Michigan—Wet, cool weather has delayed cultivation and the planting of beans and late potatoes and has greatly retarded the growth of corn; wheat, rye, meadows and pastures made good progress, but other vegetation Is backward; corn small and weedy; oats, barley and late potatoes in fair condition; clover haying begun and all haying will be general as soon as dry weather permits.

Wisconsin—Week favorable for cultivating corn and potatoes; winter wheat and rye heavy growth, filling well; some clover cut, heavy crop where not winter killed; barley, oats, and spring wheat rank and considerable lodging; too cool for corn, though condition of crop generally satisfactory; potatoes doing well; some damage to cranberries by heavy rains; apples light on account of blight; strawberries and cherries medium; blueberries good. lowa—Unseasonably cool with light frbsts in numerous localities, but no damage; low temperature beneficial to small grains, which show tendency to rust aud lodge; corn variable ns to size and condition of cultivation, but Is making fair progress; apple crop doing fairly well. South Dakota—Abnormally cool weather retarded corn growth; scattered showers; some counties need rain; spring wheat, oats, barley, rye and grass generally continue thrifty; frost Saturday In east portion seriously injured many fields of corn and potatoes, some believed to be Irreparably damaged; some flax, rye, barley and fruit also damaged by frost. Nebraska—Cold, wet week, very favorable for growth of small grain, but too cold for corn; winter wheat has ripened slowly, but harvest generally just commencing, with fine crop; oats heading nicely, of rank growth and lodging slightly; corn has grown slowly and some fields are weedy. Kansas—Wheat harvest nearly finished Is south, begun In north, delayed by rains In most counties; corn growing rapidly, In good condition, much bcin*: laid* by, tassellug In south, beginning tt silk; oat crop unusually good, harvesting In south and ripening In central; apples doing well in same counties, dropping In others; peaches ripe in south. Oklahoma and Indian Territories— Wheat, oats, alfalfa, grass, rye, barley, potatoes, early peaches and plamSbelng secured with fair to good yields; wheat threshing In progress, corn laid by In good condition, earing and growing rspMiy; cotton blooming and to excellent condition; cane k* dlr, broom corn, millet and flax making good I*at|otiUe those who advertise.