Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1904 — WINTER WHEAT SHOWS A GAIN. [ARTICLE]

WINTER WHEAT SHOWS A GAIN.

Weather Bureau Crop Report Notea Improvement in Condition. The crop report issued by the weather bitreau says; From tire upper Mississippi valley to the middle Atlantic coast the season is generally reported backward, although the average temperature for the month in those districts wa.s-.gen.-crally in excess of the. normal. In the Southern States the month has been mild and favorable for farming operations. The northern portion of the central Gulf States, however, the central vaHey s and the great or part of - the lake region suffered from excessive rains and western Texas and the southern plateau region from drought. From northern Wisconsin westward to the Rocky Mountains. the ground is still frozen deeply anil no farm work has been done. On the Pacific coast the month has been cold and wet. Over the western portion of the winter wheat belt the reports indicate an improvement in the condition of winter wheat, and in some of the’more easterly sections a slight improvement is nlso indicated. In Indiana the crop has been badly washed on high lands and much injured by floods on low lands, but where not thus damaged it is healthy nnd growing. In Nebraska ami Kansas the crop *KuffeieiTlTOm drough t.

Good progress has been made at oat seeding in the southern districts, with the exception of western Texas, where it has been too dry, and the general outlook for this crop is promising. Seeding Is in progress ns far north as southern Missouri and Kansas. In the Gulf States much corn has been planted and good stands are reported. Some planting has been done in the southern portions of Kansas and Missouri. Seefibnwummarics were received from the following Middle States: Illinois —Excessive rainfall in southern districts, lowlands Inundated; wheat shows decided improvement, nnd in northern and central districts is uniformly promising, while In southern districts plant begins to shove nearly average development; rye in thrifty Stage; season backward: soil too wet for plowing; much corn spoiling In cribs and reliable seed will be scarce; peach buds generally killed, but other fruits unscathed; stock in good condition. Indiana—Rainfall excessive; rolling and hill land badly washed; streams flooded and severely damaged fall-sown crops on bottoms, otherwise weather not unfavorable'; where not washed or flooded wheat, although small and in many fields thin or spotted, is healthy nnd growing; rye and clover are in fair condition and Improving. Ohio—Season backward; ground very wet; some damage by floods: early sown wheat better than late sown, but all very poor; some damage by freezing; peaches, plums nnd berries damaged in places; pears and apples In good condition. Michigan—Winter wheat and rye tops somewhat brown, tint roots are apparently healthy: both crops seem to have wintered well; considerable frost still in ground and Held work not begun. Wisconsin Fields generally free from snow, but ground frozen except in few localities in extreme southern counties; winter wheat, rye and clover generally wintered in good condition. Minnesota—Monthly temperature somewhat below normal; minimum below freezing daily and below zero once early in month; maximum above freezing on many days; not much snow on ground after 23d, but ground still wet and no;work done In soil. lowa —Moderate temperature; less than usual precipitation and severe storms; soli generally not In good condition for field work; but little seeding done, ami that on dry uplands; fall wheat and rye show considerable winter killing. North Dakota —Ground deeply frozen and covered with snow; no farm work possible. South Dakota —Because of cold, frosty ground and considerable high wind, little seeding or preparatory field work has been done; soli, as a role, favorably moist; condition of winter grain considered favorable except in few localities. Nebraska—Dry, windy month: winter wheat starting and in good condition, except in extreme western portion of wheat belt, where it has been damaged somewhat by dry weather: preparation of ground for seeding begun and some oats and spring wheat sown. Kansas—Wheat, in good condition in south half of east portion, but much damaged in northwest portion; oats sown In south nnd coining up; sowing progressing in central and northern counties; much corn ground plowed in south and some planted.