The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-19
WINTER WHEAT.

WINTER WHEAT.
late Reports Concerning the Condition and
Prospects OF the Winter Wheat Plant In
Various States-The Outlook Not En-
couraging.
MILWAUKEE, Wis, February SIS. W.
Talmadge is in receipt of the following
late information as regards the area, con-
dition and prospects of the winter wheat
crop:
Virginia Randolph Harrison, Commits
sioner of Agriculture, says: 81 have Of
fetal figures from all sections of the
State, and the acreage is short fully thir-
ty per cent from last year. As regards
the condition since my last report to you,
have advices from the southwest por-
ton of the State reporting that wheat is
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. Al
ternate freezing and thaws, with no snow
to protect it, is the principal cause"
Maryland-The area sown to wheat is
fully twenty-five per cent. short as COM
pared with last year. Hear of 40 serious
damage; the condition, however, is not
ssttering, owing to haste in sowing and
the soil not being fully prepared to re-
ceive the seed.
Missouri. W. Sanborn, SECRETARY of
the State Board of Agriculture, says the
area sown to wheat is ten per cent. short
of 1884. hear of but little damage to
the plant as yet.
Illiuois-The acreage Sown to wheat Is
about fifteen per cent. short of last year
Some damage, but nothing serious, was
reported in the southern part OF the State.
The ground is now covered with snow,
and will not be able to tell much about
the condition of plant until the snow goes
off.
Tennessee-A. ]. McWhirter, Commits
sioner of Agriculture, says that the crop
of Tennessee is fully twenty per cent. less
in acreage than last year and the damage
by frost is all of ten per cent.
Kansas-The area sOwn to wheat In
this State is about thirty per cent, as
compared with last year. Some OF the
largest wheat-growing counties in the
State have reduced their wheat area from
twenty-five to fifty per cent, owing prIn-
cipally t. the ruling low price OF wheat
during the past season. The condition
of the growing wheat is not up TO the
standard. Some sections report damage
by insects in the fall, and owing TO the
| severity of the winter many predict III
| Jury by winter Killing. However, 1t Is
| too early to tell much about the latter.
| Kentucky-A. j. Bowen, Commissioner
| of Agriculture, says the acreage sown to
wheat in this State is from ten TO fifteen
per cent. less than that of the previous
| wear. The winter has been very untavor-
| able. Alternate freezing and thaws have
| lifted the plant to the surface, and 1t Is
! in a badly crippled condition.
| North Carolina-The area sOWn to
wheat is very much less than last year,
and the condition is not very encouraS-
| inr on account of the long continued
! drouth of last fall. The winter has been
unfavorable, and much complaint OF win
ter-kiling is heard.
New YOrk-The area sOwn to wheat Is
somewhat less than last season. Ihe
condition is favorable. No damage by
Wintcr-kiiling or other causes Is heard OIL
West VirgInia-John ii. Strider, stats
/ teal agent, under date OF February itn,
saws: 1.-The acreage of West Virginia is
short fully twenty per cent. as compared
with last year. The condition is very un'
promising. With our worst weather,
March winds, freezing and thawing, yet
to pass, the present outlook will not war
rant hall crop"
Georgia-The extreme drought OF the
fall extended almost to December, ano
has caused large falling off in the area
sown 10 wheat. The condition is very
unfavorable owing to the unreasonable
weather during the fore part OF the win
ter.
Minnesota-H. II. Young, Statistical
agent of Minnesota, says in regard TO the
spring wheat seeding, the area sown tc
wheat will probably be fully ten per cent
short of last year, or not more than two
million five hundred thousand acres.
Dakota-James ii. Bains, Statistical
agent of Dakota, says: Not more thai
one-eighth of the crop in Northern Da
kota, and three-eighths in Southern Da
kota remains in farmers hands, ana tn
elevators are kept well cleaned out. L
prices remain low the area to wheat WI
not be increased any this spring.