Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-04-08
KANSAS CROPS.

Secretary Sims, Of the state board
Of agriculture, furnished the following
summary to the Topeka Common
wealth.
OFFICE STATE BID. OF AGRI LrURE
ToKEKA, Kas., April ., $50.
Winter wheat-The light yield and
unsatisfactory price of this cereal for
1885 together with unfayorable con.
ditions at seeding time, caused re.
duction in the area sOwn last fall, as
compared with 1884, of about 16 per
cent. The greater part of this loss il
found to be in the heavy wheat grow
ing district in the central portion OF
the state known as the wheat belt
The counties of Dickinson, Saline, Nc.
Pherson, Marion, Sedgwick and Sum-
ner, six of thelsrgest wheat producing
counties of the state show loss as com.
pared with their area sown in 1884, of
l4O 900 acres, while all the other coun-
ties lying within the ''belt," with the
exception of Russell, Ellsworth, Rice
and Ottawa, have lost heavily. The
eastern third of the state-less noted
for wheat culture-has also reduced
its area materially; but the loss as
compared with that shown by the re-
ports from the central belt, is not very
important. In the west an increased
area has been sown. Reports from
this section, " mere the acreage has
been and still remains small, show the
area sown last fall to be largely in ex-
cess of any former period.
AS a rule farmers delayed seeding
last fail much beyond the usua! period
The seed terminated well, however
but late. and while the plant grew
well in November and December, il
was too feeble at the beginning OF
winter to Withstand the unusually cold
weather of January and February land
the early sown fields in some of the
large wheat growing districts have
been seriously injured by the Hessian
fly.
A summary of the reports from 48I
correspondents, representing every
organized county and some OF the I'M
organized, showing the condition OF
the crops April 1,clearly indicates that
at least 40 per cent of the wheat sown
in Kansas last fall has been killed
The loss in the central part of the state
where the greater part of the wheat Is
grown, is very heavy, ranging in the
different counties from 80 to 50 per
cent: in the eastern counties from 20
to 80 per cent, and in the west from {
to 10 per cent. The reports also show
the condition of the live plants to be
20 per cent below the vitality and
growth of average years, at the period
under consideration-April /.
Summary-Loss in area sOwn, as
compared with 1884, is Is per cent:
winter killed, or death from other
causes, 40 per cent; area from which a
product may be expected. as compared
with the vitality and growth of aver
age at this date is 80 per cent.
Rye-Area sOwn, about Il per cent
less than last year. But little will be
harvested, as the greater part was
sown for pasture. Condition fair.
Horses-Condition generally good:
little thin in flesh in q few localities,
where corn has been scarce. Chambers
reported from few localities.
Cattle-Where fed and sheltered,
they are in good condition. Heavy
losses on the range where fsed and
shelter were not provided.
Shcep-CondiiiOn is good where
reasonable care has been given.
Hogs-Cholera aba:iDg in tue east
ern and central portions OF the state,
where heavy losses have been sustain
ed within the last year. No diseases
in the west. Condition good.
Fruit-Peaches killed. Other yarie-
ties in feir condition.
WILLIAM SIML, Secretary.