The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-05
THE GROWING CROPS.
The Wheat in Kansas Almost Destroyed by
the HeSsian Fly and the Chinch Bug

TOPEKA, Kan, June Much anxiety is ex-
pressed over the disastrous report in regard to
the condition of the wheat crop in this State.
The Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture
said to-day that his June report was not yet
ready, but would be out on Friday night. He
refused to give figures. but said the news had
been very discouraging, that the best wheat
counties in many instances would be total
failure on account of the Hessian fly and chinch
bug, Many wheat fields that, up to ten days
ago, promised a half crop, are now heading out
cheat This, said the Secretary, is the worst
failure in wheat that Kansas has ever expert
enced. In a long talk, in which he declined to
give official figures he said it was no use
in Disgusting the fact that in many localities
farmers would not get their seed. His informa-
tlon was that very large area OF the wheat
which, at his last report, was considered promls-
ing was now either being ploweG up or the cat
tie had been turned in upon it. Mr.. Croley, the
manager of the largest mill in this city, said that
he had just returned from a tour of the wheat
districts, and that, in his opinion, the entire
harvest would not exceed 15, ,000, 900 bushels. 1t
was learned to-day that the secretary of the
State board will reduce his April estimates 80
per cent, which will make the estimated yield
about l3 000,0 bushels, or about $4,000, 600
bushels less than last year Corn now is the
only hope for Kansas this year
REPORT OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
AS there has been a great deal of speculation
as to what the monthly report of the State
Board of Agriculture on the wheat crop would
be, and false statements having been sent out,
William Sims, the secretary, has furnished the
Associated Press with the following statement.
which was only completed this morning The
condition of other crops will be furnished later.
The injury to the wheat crop from the severity
of the winter. insect depreciation and other
causes is far worse than shown by our report of
last month Many fields which at the date of
our last report promised a fair yield, now
show more chess than wheat, and will be
plowed up and seeded to millet OF the
1913, 2B acres sown to winter wheat in the State
in the fall of 1884 at least 40 per cent have been
abandoned and the ground seeded to spring
crops, and the work of destruction still
tinues.9s The total product this year will be
needed for seed and other use within the State
Infornastion received at this Office shows the
condissF . be per cent. compared with year
ago, a Toss of % per cent from April 80. The
total product in this State this year cannot ex.
ceed II, 600, 600 bushels.
Mr.. Sims this evening furnishes the AS
sociated Press the following statement to
other crops: '"The areas of spring wheat in
the State are found to be about equal to that
sown in the spring of 1883. and the condition
AS compared with the condition one
year ago. it is now 101.56 per cent.
which, with favorable weather until harvest,
would indicate product of 1,390 592 bushels a
promised increase over last year Of q, 4S1 bush
els The estimated area of corn is 1902, 83S
acres, an increase of 356 $50 acres over last year
The condition, compared with last year, is 81
per cent; probable product, 160, $4,000 bushels,
a shortage Of about 80, 000, 900 bushels compared
with 1884. The oats area and condition indi-
cate product of 80, 924 900 bushels, an increase
of 4, ,S37, 900 bushels over the last harvest.