St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-09
THE WINTER WHEAT CROP.
Reports from the Principal Wheat States
Show Decrease in Acreage.
A!Great Portion of that Sown Winter KILLED
and Almost Entirely Destroyed.

madge is in receipt of the following late
information as regards the area, condition
and prospects of the winter wheat crop:
VIRGINIA
Randolph Harrison, commissioner of agri-
culture, says: ~ have official figures from
all sections of the state and the acreage is
short fully 30 per cent. from last year. As
regards the condition since my last report
to you, / have advices from the southwest
portion of the state, reporting the wheat as
being almost destroyed, winter killed."
and from advices and what have seen in
the last few days, the prospect for wheat is
worse than it has been since 1866. Alternate
freezing and thaws with no snow to protect
it, is the principal cause"
MARYLAND.
The area sown to wheat is fully 25 per
cent. short as compared with last year. We
hear of no serious damage. The condition,
however, is not fattering, owing to the haste
in sowing and the soil not being fully pre-
pared to receive the seed.
MISSOURI.
OF agriculture, says: ''The area sown to
wheat is 10 per cent. short of 1884 1 hear
of but little damage to the plant as yet"
ILLINOIS.
The acreage sown to wheat is about Is per
cent. short of last year. Some damage but
nothing serious was reported in the south
ern part OF the state early. The ground is
covered with snow, and we will not be able
to tell much about the condition of grain
until the snow goes off.
TENNESSEE.
A. J. McWinter, commissioner of agrl-
culture, says: ''The wheat crop of Tennes-
see is fully 20 per cent. less in acreage than
last year, and the damage by freezing is all
of 10 per cent"
KANSAS.
The area sown to wheat in this state is
about 30 per cent. as compared with last
year. Some of the largest wheat growing
counties in the state have reduced their
wheat area from 25 to 80 per cent, owing
principally to the ruling low price of wheat
during the past season. The condition of
the growing wheat is not up to standard.
Some sections report damage by insects in
the fall, and owing to the severity OF the win
ter, many predict damage by winter killing.
However, 1t is too early to tell much about
the latter
KENTUCKY.
c. E. Barnum, commissioner of agricul-
ture, says "The acreage sown to wheat in
this state is from 10 TO Is per cent. less
than that of the previous year. The winter
has been very unfavorable. Alternate freez-
ing and tbaws have lifted the plant to the
surface, and 1t is in badly crippled condi-
tion.n
NORTH CAROLINA.
The acreage sown to wheat in this state Is
much smaller than last year, and the condi-
ton is not very encouraging. On account
of the long continued draught Of last fall the
winter has been unfavorable, and much com
plant OF winter killing is heard.
NEW YORK.
The area sown to wheat is somewhat less
than last season. The condition is quite
favorable. No damage by winter killing or
other cause is heard Of.
WEST VIRGINIA
John H. Strider, statistical agent, under
the date Of Feb. 4, says: "The acreage Of
West Virginia is short fully 20 per cent.
as compared with last year. The condition
is very unpromslng. With our worst
weather, March winds, freezes and thawing
yet TO pass, the present outlook will not war
rant half crop"
GEORGIA.
The extreme drought Of the fall extended
almost to December, and has caused a large
falling off in the area sown to wheat. The
condition Is very unfavorable, owing to the
unreasonable weather during the fore part
Of the winter.
MINNESOTA.
H. II. Young, statistical agent Of Minneso-
ia, says: sin regard 10 the spring wheat
seeding the area sown 70 wheat will probably
be fully per cent. short Of last year, or
not more than $500, 900 acres.
DAKOTA.
James Baypes, statistical agent Of Dakota,
says no more than one-eigbth Of the crop In
Northern Dakota and tbree-eights in South
ern Dakota remains in the farmers hands,
and the elevators are kept well cleared out.
II prices remain low the area TO wheat will
not be increased any this spring.