The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-29
RYE AND OATS.

ME- AMI Ohibs
These are less damaged and may be reck-
oned at a loss of one-half. The remarks In
regard to wheat are applicable to these crops
This crop, always easily effected by expo
sure, has suffered more extensively and may
be set down as three-fourths lost.
For the past few years the hay crop as 6
commercial one has been of no small import
ance to this part of the State. Before thu
war large amount went to Memphis ane
other points South, for the use of the plant
ers, and since then the army has had to bt
supplied. Under present circumstances tn,
demand In that direction must be very limit
ed, and with a full crop the price would have
ruled low. 1t is not probable that there is
any more first quality of hay than will supply
this limited demand, and hence the fact Of
low prices need not be feared. The meadows
which were cut in time have been stimulated
to an after growth, and very good crop for
home use is now being gathered. If this view
is correct, the loss of the hay crop to the ex-
tent noticed is not a serious one, though had
it occurred last year it would have been se-
verely felt.
POTATOES. III
An unusual breadth was planted. but as the
lower land is usually devoted to this crop. the
flooding out has been on large scale. The
rot is not making the inroads anticipated some
weeks since. On the whole the yield will be
small, though it is too early to determine this
point very fully as yet.
THE RESULT.
Had it not been for the excessive rain
storms the crops would have been enormous.
We need. therefore, not complain so very bit.
terly, when we have left us almost, If not a
fair average crop. The. corn crop will be
large. The hay is abundant for home use and
the limited demand for shipping. We have a
fair potato crop, against almost an entire fail
ure last year. More barley was sown this
year than last, but now as then the amount is
not large. The rye and oats are turning ont
a fair yield, after the loss is deducted The
pasture has been abundant, which will swell
the beef and pork crop to large dimensions.
None of the usual staples for home use are
wanting, while the surplus Of beef. pork /
wool, oats, rye, potatoes, flax seed and havI
will be respectable. and at least the two first
large.
There is an abundance to exchange for all
the wants of the community, and no appre-
hension need be entertained of stoppage of
the large improvements now going forward.
New buildings, new fences, new orchards, and
other rural Improvements, will gather force as
the year progresses. AT no time for the past
four years has there been such an outlay for
solid improvements. There is no occasion for
iarping or complaining of hard times among
hose who till the soil. The fruit crop. it IS
rue, is light; but for the want of orchards
his has always been the case. and we cannot
axe this into account in estimating the gem
,ral result
The losses of the season must be in part
to bad management, mainly in not
tacking the grain. in not cutting the hay in
eason, in not ploughing the low land into
harrow lands or ridges. and in a total want of
general system OF draining Years hence
uch season will not be considered a serious
drawback. when We have thoroughly con-
led the lessons that it has taught RURAL.