The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-11
GRAIN CROP PROSPECTS.
Winter Wheat Badly Damaged Through
out Illinois.

SPRIKGFIKLD. Ill April l0.-Ths late re-
ports to the Illinois Department OF Agricul-
ture leave no room for doubling that the
growing crop has been severely damaged by
the protracted cold dry weather in March.
In some localities the reporters ASSERT
that the wheat was damaged in January
when the ground was bare Of snow and the
plant was exposed to the extreme low tenn
psrature that pervaded during that period.
The tables published today show that in
April the condition of winter wheat in
Illinois has not been more unfavorable for
years than this season. The tables have been
compiled from the reports OF nearly 600 ex-
perienced correspondents OF the Illi-
nois Department of Agriculture, who
are so distributed throughout the State
as to enable them to examine the
condition of growing crops in each locslity.
The wheat area of the State during the past
ten years has averaged , 37, 634 acres, which
has returned an average yield OF 81, 769, 6l8
bushels. The eera seeded 10 winter wheat
last fall in this State was 2317, z91
acres, a decreaie of 400 472 acres as compared
with the preceding year. The season is
backward compared with the average years.
and the damage to wheat by winter killing
can not be definitely determined until the
weather. In some ef the southern counties
the extent of the wheat that has been winter
killed can be determined with some degree
of accuracy, and not in few instances one.
half or more of the area is reported winter
killed. The average condition of the grow
ing crop. April 1. is estimated TO be about 81
per cent. Of an average crop.
wheat In Missouri In an UDpromising Con-
ditfon-CAttle Loss ID uring the Winter.
ST.. LOUIS, April l0.-Ths crop report of
J. w. Sanborn, Secretary of the Missouri
State Board of Agriculture, says: THE pres.
emit outlook for wheat is reported as quite
unpromising and at II per cent, yet the
latest returns indicate improving prospects,
The decline in acreage was reported to this
Office last fall 70 be 10 per cent less than the
average. This is IN underestimate OF the ac-
tual decrease, bat we will use this basis IN
til inquiry Ia next months circulars. This
gives an average Of 2, 1O7, 296. A decline in
the prospects of 20 per cent. leaves the prob
able yield 9 Al bushels. or total yield of 10. :
Se2,S74 bushels. Early sown wheat ia reported
as looking better than late sown, while the
prospects at present are very uDpromising.
Very favorable conditions may improve
them, bat this change will have to come
soon to prevent the blowing up of much
ground now in wheat. The growth
is now very backward. Whea. in
farmers hands on April was 20 5 per cent.
or 3 sos, 40 bushels. Little whest is report
ed in elevators outside of great cities. Pres
emit condition of rye is % per cent. Corn on
hand April 1, p 9 per cent, or 0,457 FOG
bushels. Corn raised in the State that is con-
sumed IN the State. 50 5 per cent. Loss of
cattle by death, per cent. for the winter.
Cattle on hand, compared with April 1, 1884,
1854 per cent. Loss of sheep by death tor
the winter, per cent. Sheep on hand, com.
pared with 1884. 90 per cent, an increase of
152, pa in number. Loss of swine by death
during the winter, 14.7 per cent, or 600, 772,
or money loss Of S2.Si7, GOO. Swine on
hand. compared with 1884, 95 per cent. The
loss of stock of all kinds for the State
for 1.-THE past winter is: estimated to have
been over 81 000, 600, and il is believed that
s.. 200 900 Of this would have been saved I'M
der proper management. Peaches are killed
according to reports and small fruits IN
jured."