New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-08
THE GROWING CROPS.

FRrrr PROSPECTS UycoNMoNLY GOoD-rHE TERs
RrToRrRs TO CONTRIBUTE LARGELY TO THE AN'
SUAL PRODUCTION OF GRAIN-THE CROPS IN I'm.
GLAND, FRANCE AND RUSSIA Not PROMISING
The facts in regard to the growing Winter wheat
throughout the country have been hard 10 ascertain,
but il may now be stated that in some OF the East
ern States and in Ohio Michigan. Indiana and HI
nos much was Winter killed and Spring *neas
has been sown instead This is 10 be said, however
of the plant on loamy andsrather wet soil; on heher
and drer soils the stand is good and. on the whole,
il looks though there would be an average crop
Spring wheat has been sown largely. and the pros
pect is fair In the great region of the West
the greater part of the crop was planted before
Nav 90 by which time it certainly should DO
planted II there is 20 be an average yield. lt
is probably safe TO say that seven-eighths
of it was planted by the nth, which certainly lnd-
Gates most favorable progress In Central ILLINOIS
great deal we'll above ground at that date, ana
by this time cultivation is well begun. In some
sections there were extremely heavy rains. causing
DELAY for three TO six days. II may be well TO note
that the rains were 80 constant last year that the
greater part of the in the corn section was nos
planted till after the last days of May In Wiscon-
sim Northern Iowa. and Minnesota the late Spring
prevented planting before May 20, but the wheat
crop was growing finely. Il is evident from the
year. and if no accident befa it will be the largest
yet grown in America, for the area is somewhat IN
creased in the old corn-growing States. while I'M
mense breadths in Iowa, Nebraska. and Kansas are
to be added. The wheat crop IL these states VIII
also be increased.
The prospect for potatoes is not encouraging, for
there seems TO be a greater number of its enemy the
Colorado beetle than ever before. and 1t IL already
on hand waiting for the leaves to appear, 1he use
of Paris green is general but it is not always pre-
ventiye while being a deadly poison great care IN
It's use is required. Hand picking, though a slow
and repugnant process is sure aud 1t is resorted 10
where cheap labor can be procured. IL this pest
continues yearly TO increase, potato culture must
certainly decline. In some sections of the West the
chinch bug, that great enemy OF small grain bas
made its appearance, and II is much Dreaded out on
the other hand the reports from great many coun-
ties make no mention of Its appearance. In NORTH
Western Iowa and IN Southwestern Minnesota that
scourge the grasshopper has appeared in the young
state in untold millions, and it is DESTROY ing all
vegetation. So soon, however. its wings are
grown which Will be by the last of June IL viii fly
away, and after this various crops can be raised 1t
is TO be understood that this pest never covers the
whole of the country it visits, for while some heldS
are made bare others in the vicinity are untouched.
These are the only influences reported that adversely
affect the prospects of the coming harvest that ~
through that belt of country between the sesooard
and the plains and north of an east and west hne
that touches the mouth Of the Ohio River IN 81 ati-
tude.
The fruit prospects in this whole region are rep
resented as uncommOnly good, and IN those sections
especially devoted fruit the most ample prepare
tions have been made by the fruit-raisers and the
railroads promptly to send the product to market
In Southern Illinois wide range OF iruit VIII DO
produced in abundance. The first shipments OF
strawberries were made on May II. and soon aiter
they were sent to various Northern cities by tho
carload. Even in the prairie regions of Illinois,
Missouri and Kansas. the peach crop Is to be large
which il remarkable, considering that last year
probably not a hundred bushels were produced.
Now that the yield Of fruit is destined To be 80
abundant pains should be taken to preserve all thas
is possible by canning, drying or other processes ior
il is not possible that il shall all find market IN
the natural ripened state.
In the States south of the Ohio low lands have
suffered immensely by high water. and even on
tributaries such the tennessee. fences have been
carried away and the newly planted corn fields
ruined. In the lower valleys the water began 20
abate some time ago, and corn and cotton may yet
be planted, and abundant vegetables grown. Many
of the planters however, need prompt assistance IN
the way of seed and provisions While these subj
merged lands are certainly the richest, they form
only small portion of the whole, and on the up
lands work goes forward as of old. The rainfall mas
been less continuous than last year. and cotton has
been planted in due IL Is positively stated
that more corn and less cotton has been planted this
year than were planted last year but while the corn
fields NAV be many and large. it is doubtful whether
less cotton is growing Last year was certainly I'M
favorable for cotton and the cost Of working was
excessive and yet the cotton crop of leI34 exceed
that of 1923 by about 10000 bales. On favorable
soil cotton is growing finely. and specimens OF the
plant have been sent TO the North from Florida that
were is inches high. No destructive insects have
vet been reported.
In California the large amount of last years grain
still coming in is a surprise. As the Winter rains
were sufficient another large wheat crop for this
leading wheat State may be confidently expected.
In Montana Colorado, New-Mexico, and Arizona,
the season has been marked by far less fall of rain
than in average seasons and only the early sown
grain is promising favorabIy. This Is well above
ground and in fine condition. By last accounts, as
no rain had fallen since March, the rrgatiDg bitches
had to be opened. The rTigating canals OF all these
Territories have been enlarged and extended and
the capacity for raising all kinds of farm produce -
NJ much increased that there Will undoubtedly be a
large surplus of fine wheat to be shipped 70 our
Eastern cities. The vast herds of cattle and focks
of sheep kept on the plains without other feed than
the native grasses have come through the Winter IN
uncommoniy fine order, aud the losses in the herds
of men attending to their business have not ex-
ceeded five per cent, which is less than the average
losses in regions where animals are fed with gram
and hay This is due tile absence OF Winter
SHOWS aud 70 the moisture of last year The dry
ness of this Spring not favorable for the feed 70
grow for the coming Summer aud Winter, but as INC
range is almost unlimited a greater area can be
utilized In Kansas the losses Of stock are reported
10 have been heavy.