The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-09-11
MINNESOTA NEWS NOTES.
CROP CONDITION SHOWN.

Cold and Rainy Weather Has Decreased
Large Percentages, But the Yield il
Much Above IN Average In all Principal
Products.
H. H. Young, United States statistical agent
for Minnesota, will make. a report to the depart
ment of agriculture, including the following
facts: The weather during August has been
somewhat unusual for this climate, and on the
whole decidedly unfavorable for the develop
ment of crops generally. We have had two
warm, sultry intervals of few days continuance
each, and during the remainder of the time the
temperature has been unpleasantly coldfor the
season, and local showers were of frequent oc-
currence in almost any part of the state. In the
southern counties the wheat, oats, rye and bar
ley were ready for harvest on or before the first
of the month, and were generally cut before the
sixtRsafely stacked. Fully -sixths, though
were in shocks at the time, and more or less
injured. The damage, however, was slight,
except where the shocks were indifferently
put up, or were blown down by the high winds,
which frequently prevailed. In the northern
counties the grain was more backward, and the
wet, cold weather delayed its ripening, Gut
ting had not been finished there on the LIST
inst. To these causes is attributable the low
rate of average condition" of all the grain
crops as given on the accompanying card.
month ago appearances indicated that they
would all exceed 1U7, and that wheat would av-
ably by the continuous cold, though if frosta
hold off a few days longer the crop will still be
above an average, both in yield and quality.
Sorghum is very backward, and am inclined
to think that even the figure have given
is higher than appearances justify The
generally drought the state Potatoes have
suffered severely from the rains, and will be
considerably below average in quality and
quantity. Several correspondents remark that
they are rotting badly. They have likewise
been seriously damaged by bugs. Apples and
grapes we're injured to considerable extent in
several localities by late frosts in the spring.
ANIMAL PRODUCTS.
In all the older counties the numbers Of
hogs for fattening are much less than last year.
In ten counties decreases of 20 pei cent. and
upward are reported, and in number of 9TH
The newer counties, however, report an in
crease, and I think the figures give represent
the comparative number as nearly as possible.
Scarcity of good feed has tended also to re-
duce the average size and weight fully per
cent throughout the state. Following is the
per centage of conditions as reported to the
department for Sept l.
Per cent
Corn-Average condition. JOB
Wheat-Average condition when harvested. LOG
Rye-Average condition when harvested. 100
Oats-Average condition when harvested. .104
Barley-Average condition when harvested. 81
Buckwheat-Average condition. ........... 81
Potatoes Qrish)-Average condition. ,...... IS
Tobacco-Average condition. .............. 81
SOrghum-Average condition. ............. So
Apples-Average condition. ............... IS
apes-Average condition. 80
Stock Hogs-No. for fattening compared
with last year. Observation-Disclosures. 50
Stock Hogs-Average condition as to weight