Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-09-11
DAKOTA CROPS.

Onr Statistical Agent Makes his Septem-
Der Report.
Alexandria, Oak, Sept. 4-The United
States Statistical agent for Dakota
makes the following report for Septem.
ber: The month of August, although
accompanied by heavy rains, has been
otherwise favorable for securing the
crops. In some localities of north
Dakota harvesting is not yet completed.
In Walsh county harvest only commen.
ced about the 22d OF August, and it is
represented as the best crop raised in
four years, although it is reported that
there is considerable smut in it. Until
last year no complaint was made of IN.
Jury to wheat from smut in the territory;
this year it is to greater or less extent
quito general. It ls confined principal
ly to to the soft varieties. As all wheat
in which smut is found is graded no
higher than No. 8 it will cause farmers
to exercise more care in the choice of
their seed IN the future. 1t is not gen.
orally understood, or at least regarded,
that as much care should be used in the
selection of seed, as in blood in raising
pure stock. The Russians in some To-
calities of the southeastern counties of
the territory by repeatedly sowing
an Indifferent quality of wheat de.
terlorated the product until 1t is almost
worthless. Stutsman county reports ex-
ceptionally fine crops. The whole of
north Dakota, in fact, has fine yield Of
small grain. 1t will average much bet.
ter than last year and better than south
Dakota. Last year it was just the re-
Tho roir oko 1,
third week of harvest damaged grain S
per cent IN Cass county and 2 per cent
in Burleigh and Rarnes counties. Thresh.
ing is just beginning in north Dakota,
while it is in full blast in the south. The
yield generally in the south is not quite
up to the expectation. although the
quality is better than last year. The re-.
port is universal that the farmers of the
territory will not market their wheat at
present prices unless they are obliged to,
but so many of them are compelled to
do so, to liquidate demands against
them, that their wishes will be practical.
ly nullifed.
The corn crop gives promise of the
best yield ever produced in the territory,
the counties in which it is the leading
crop with ten days more favorable
weather will be out Of the way of harm
from frost, and in fifteen days that plant.
ed in season throughout the territory
will be safe. Many fields are already ripe,
and some have been cut up.
The yield of Irish potatoes is not az
good as is usual. the first seed planted in
new soil for four years have, with but
little attention or cultivation, given re-
marksble yields, which has accustomed
us to such generous returns that We looh
upon fair crop with some disappoint
ment. There was short dry spell thai
affected the crop to some extent. Th,
price last year did not justify shippinf
extensively, and this may be partly th,
cause for less attention than when tb,
tubers were profitable crop.
OTHER PRODUCTS.
| The farmers are just finishing ha,
making from the blue joint and othe
native prairie grasses, In the valleys o
the Missouri. sioux, Vermillion, an,
James or Dakota rivers, hay can be pu
in the stack at . cost of seventy.fiy
! tcents per ton. The fAx crop has becom