The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-12
The Corn Prospect Less Favorable, Drought
and Frost Having Injured the Crop
to Great Extent.
Submission of the Report of the Hill
Committee to Mr.. Folger.
Many of the Charges Against the Super
vising Architect Found to Have Been
Sustained-A Severe Report.
THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION.
Drought and Frost Have Reduced the Crop
Prospect Largely.

Drought and Frost Have Reduced the Crop
Prospect Largely.
WAsHINGToN Sept. 1.-THE September re-
turns to the Department of Agriculture in
dicate lower condition of corn than in Au-
gust in every section of the country, and in
nearly every State. The only gains in the
West are in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska
where slight improvement is indicated.
Minnesota stands as in August Arkansas
makes gain of one point, and Georgia and
Alabama remain as in August. But all the
other cotton States show a heavy decline.
The figures are also much reduced for each
of the Middle States The corn-surplus States
show changes as follows: Ohio, reduction
from SO to 80; Michigan, 6S to 60; Indiana
So to So; Illinois, Sc to 80; Iowa, So to 80.
The increase in Missouri is from 83
to "a; Kansas, so to 100; Nebraska, 81
to 81. The decline in New York
is from 80 to II, and in Pennsylvania from
SO to 80. The general average condition on
Sept. was "a, a decrease of 5 points during
the last month. The cause of this reduction,
so nearly universal, is drouth, which is re-
ported from every State of the Atlantic coast,
the Gulf coast and the Ohio valley and be-
yond the Mississippi to the crest of the di-
vide between that river and the Missouri. Be
tween Ohio and the lakes the distribution of
rain has been unequal, in few places in ex-
cess, while deficiency is generally reported.
The crop is nearly everywhere late, requir-
ing one to two weeks longer season than
usual to mature. Where Kansas and Mis-
souri, seed was planted in the
more northern territory the crop is
still later, and causes much apprehension as
to ripening. While planting was late and
the early season too wet drought following,
the average temperature of the summer has
bilty. Telegraphic communication with the
State agents, up to o'clock this afternoon,
shows that the recent frosts have damaged
corn north of the fortieth parallel. The
Ohio agent places the injury in that State at
20 per cent The Indiana agent estimates
the loss at 10 to 20 per cent. in the northern
section and 5 per cent in the middle belt.
The loss is heavy in Wisconsin and Mime
sofa. There is also some injury in New
York and Pennsylvania. While the
damage cannot yet be clearly deter
mined, it is certain that frosts had
already reduced the general average below
eighty, though much of the heaviest corn of
the West is beyond serious injury. The con-
ditlon of wheat, where harvested, as reported
in the returns, averages 80 per cent which
indicates a product of II per cent. less than
the yield of last year, or a loss of $4,000, 600
bushels The crop of oats will be larger the
general average being SO per cent. The
promise for potatoes is good, represented by
95 per cent three points higher than the re-
ported average in September 1882.