Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-15
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Report for the Month Ending April 30th
OF the Condition Of Kansas Grow
Ing Crops, Etc.

10 SNcu.
WINTER WHEAT.
The extreme southeastern portion of the
State Is the only locality where any appre-
cable damage to the crop has resulted from
the long and severe winter, and the loss in
this section will not exceed fifteen per
cent Of the area sown, which, when con-
sidered in connection with the State, area,
is very slight, leaving the loss from freez-
ing to the State at large as small as ever was
known In any previous year. As in the two
preceding years, there has been an entire
absence OF insect pests, and no fears are
now entertained of their depredations this
season. In all other portions of the State,
the condition as compared with last year at
this time as standard, is Ito, or promise
OF an increased yield OF ten per cent. With
the southeastern section added, the condi-
ton Of the State is 100. The PROJECT last
year on April 30th, as compared with the
previous year, was %, or less promising
condition by per cent. As compared
with the large crop Of 1882, the largest in
the history of the State, reports now indi-
cate better prospect by per cent.
While the baekwardness of the season.
the continued rains and low temperature
have TO some extent retarded the growth of
wheat, especially on the upands, the plant
is of good color, well rooted and stooled.
and with warm weather will make a yigor-
Gus growth.
In the western half of Kansas, the ground
was thoroughly soaked in October OF last
year, and has remained full of moisture
ever siuce by reason of timely and copious
rains. The wheat, therefore, obtained a
fine growth, having strong and vigorous
roots before the cold weather set in. In
the extreme west the prospect is much be-
yond anything ever before experienced in
that section, and it is the opinion Of many
that large crop is now assured. Unusual
conditions alone can prevent 4 heavy wheat |
harvest this year, the dangcr-point having
been safely past.
SPRING WHEAT.
The area this year is about the same as |
last, but that it is Sc is only attributable to |
the favorable conditions Tor sowing spring |
grains, and it is considered a question Of |
but few years when as field crop it will |
cease to be cultivated. There is little doubt |
but that under the favorable conditions |
now existing there VIII be a fair Weld.
RYE.
In the north and northwest, stock have |
been generally taken of the rye fields. In |
the southern and western portions, the |
fields are still pastured by young stock, and |
Will continue tc be used for this purpose as |
long as they supply food. The some condi- |
tons which have been so favorable to win
ter wheat during last fall and this spring, |
have likewise been propitious to rye. In |
the north and northwest, where the great
bulk of the rye area lies, the prospect for |
large yield is more promising than at any |
time in the history Of the state. The con-
dition is superior TO that of last year at this
time 10y ten per cent, and is slightly in adj |
vance of the condition two years ago.
OATS.
In all portions OF the State. except in the |
extreme west, oats made more than an !
average yield lost year. 1t was the inten-
ton OF farmers TO largely increase the area
this spring, and they would have done so |
IL the weather throughout the State had |
been propitlous at seeding time. The in
crease in area is about six per cent as COM
pared with last year, the greater portion OF |
which is from the southern portion of the |
State. The snow storm OF April is to 81 |
did no damage to oats, and in the souther |
two-thirds of the State the plant is up and |
appears 10 be in fine condition, indicating |
now fully as large yield as was harvested |
last year.
FRUIT.
As the season advances. il is discovered |
that there will be a full peach crop in Sedg- |
wick, Sumner, Harper, Barber and King |
man counties, half crop in Cowley, Bar
ton, Reno and Rice, and a few peaches in |
all the other counties except those in the |
northern third OF the State, and in the |
southeastern corner. The winter just pass |
ed was unusually severe GU peach trees in |
the northern portion of the State many be ]
killed. Possibly one-tenth OF the peach !
trees in the State will bear average crops |
The apple, cherry and plum trees now /
promise abundant yields, showing the most |
whole. the fruit crop is more encouraging
than it has been for years and taking into |
consideration the increased number of |
bearing trees, the quansity will be largely |
in excess of the product of any previous |
year.
THE SEASON.
As compared with April so, 1885, the sea-
son this year in Kansas is twelve days late |
in the southern third of the State the corn |
area is nearly all planted, and much of the |
corn has appeared above ground. The
range is now affording ample pasture, and |
stock has generally been turned upon it.
In the central third, probably one-third of
the corn area to be planted was put in prior |
to April 10. The heavy snow and rain |
storm, commencing on that date and con-
tinuing to the 2lst, put stop 10 blowing |
and planting. 1t is feared that the area al |
ready put in will have to be replanted, it |
being thought that, owing to the cold and |
universally wet ground the seed has rotted. |
The range in this section is just beginning |
to be sufficient to sustain stock.
In the northern third scarcely any corn |
has been planted, and, on April 30, grasses
were not far enough advanced for the pur-
poses Of pasture. The ground is now
thoroughly soaked and cannot be plowed. |
The snow and rain storm of April 18th to
2lst inclusive, was general throughout the |
State. While it was beneficial in its effects
on the fall grains ,and injured the fruit buds
in but few localities, it caused blowing
and planting to cease entirely, and was par
severe on stock in the western
Where cattle were thin in flesh
and unsbeltered, the losses were very large;
In some small herds the per cent. dying dur
ing this storm being unusually heavy.
Wherever proper care and management
have been given the business has been one
Of profit; nothing but loss has character
lied it when otherwise conducted.
The corn area Of last year, although
larger than ever before. will be largely in
creased this year in the eastern two-tbirds
Of the State, if the weather will permit
planting soon. Kansas raised in 1888 twice
he amount of sound merchantable corn
han any other State in the Union did, and
he effect of this large crop upon the pros
Derity of our farmers has been so marketed
hat an increased area could reasonably be
expected.
The report Of correspondents for the
month OF April are uniformly cheerful, and (
confidence in a prosperous year in agrical-
ure is expressed by all. As an indication
IF prosperity, the unusual amount Of farm
dwellings, barns, sheds, fences. ETC., now
,eing erected, are instanced. This activity
II permanent improvements is not confined
o any one portion OF the State, but is met
With everywhere. The immigration is
arge as to numbers and gratifying US TO
lind. The great bulk of it is made up from
he farming class in the Eastern States, who
ring with them industry, wealth and in.
diligence.
The prospect for a prosperous year for
be citizens of Kansas is now more prom
sing than at any previous season, and moth ,
ng but some UNUSUAL calamity can check it.
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