National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-22
CONDITION OF WINTER GRAIN.
Abstract of Report OF Department OF
Agriculture for May, 1886.

plOWlnB ID more NuNNnCcu bnuu usual on
the Atlantic coast, later in the south, owing,
in that region, to heavy rains and river
overlows.
The May crop report of wheat indicates
an advance. Average, $40; last Mays
average, 20. In Ohio, %; Pennsylvania, 05;
New York, 96; Michigan, Oh; Indiana, %;
Illinois, g2; Missouri, 10l; Kansas, "a. Good
growth in New York. In parts Of New
Jersey injury from March winds isreported,
from which gradual recovery has generally
been made during the fine weather OF April.
There was some destruction OF wheat by
the winters severity I'm Pennsylvania,
most noticeable in the western part Of the
state. IL was not very serious, however,
often more apparent than real; and great
Improvement is everywhere noted.
Wheat is we'll advanced IN Maryland, and
still growing rapidly. In the mountain
district, Allegheny, there was winter-kill-
ing. In the central counties a tendency TO
drought in the latter part OF April is indi-
Gated.
The weather has been quite favorable in
Virginia, and recovery Of the brown and
withered frosted areas has been rapid. Ex-
posed spots and unsuitable soils are IRE.
coverable. AS whole, the average con
dition of the entire breadth is high.
In the southern states there appears to be
decline in wheat growing the area is
small, and condition, though improved, not
very high. The past winter was very I'M
favorable for winter grain In these states.
A correspondent in Georgia declares the
winter freezes were the worst In fifty years.
The growth is late, the plants scattering In
too many fields. Yet well fortified areas
are reported in fine condition. One CORE
spondent gives the low price OF cotton aud
the need OF ready cash as a reason for de-
cline Of wheat growing and the use Of the
land for cotton. Another says that, since
cotton has declined 10 per cent, IL is neces-
sary to increase the acreage 10 per cent. to
get the requisite money. That logic, II In
tluential In the general practice, will keep
the cotton states poor.
The late.sown wheat Of Texas was In.
jured In some place by frost Early sown Is
generally in fine condition. Plants that had
an early start In Arkansas are beginning to
head, aud early.sown areas In Tennessee are
well advanced. Late wheat Is less vigorous.
There is much variation In general appear.
ance, while the average Is high.
Kentucky wheat promises n heavy yield,
though drilled is better than broadcast.
That Of West Virginia is variable, much of
II in superior condition.
Wheat is improving in Ohio. That sown
carly is generally the best Some Of the
autumn sown, on poor soils, unfertilized, is
very poor. The drler areas needed rain In
the latter part OF April.
In Michigan there was some loss from
winter killing, but April was favorable,
and the prospect favors the expectation of
medium crop. A strong, healthy growth
is generally apparent in Indiana. Where
the prospect is poor, 1t is usually in late
sown areas. Ample rain and favoring
temperature have advanced condition p err
ceptIbly.
illinois will have good crop this year to
make some amends for last years failure.
Wheat was fairly well protected by snow in
winter, and conditions have been thus fur
favorable In spring.
In Missouri wheat is all that could be de.
sired, with inevitable local exceptions in
growth, color, and stand, promising large
rate Of yield.
The reports of injury to Kansas wheat
last month were not exaggerated. There
must be a low rate Of yield In eastern coun
ties, where much wheat is grown, notwlth
standing the favorable weather OF April.
The Pacific coast will scarcely fail to make
good the high promise heretofore reported
RYE.
Rye rarely ever makes lower average Of
condition than wheat; 1t stands at 95.7, il
is highest in the middle belt-in Maryland
Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkan
sas, ana on the Pacific coast. 1t is also higl
in the Ohio valley. In the cotton states 4
is somewhat reduced. See table of aver
ages.
BARLEY.
The prospect is favorable for good crol
OF winter barley The general average q Q
condition is a6.7. Principal states as FOL
lows: New York, So; Michigan, o.; Ohio
gS; Illinois, 9S; California, l03; Oregon, 100
COTTON PLANTING.
Cotton planting has been delayed by colo
rains on the Atlantic coast, and by over
flows on the gulf coast The proportion
10 be planted in May averages 20 per cent
In average years the proportion does no
exceed IA or 10 per cent. The stand Is nee
ing is rapidly filling the gaps. The pro
portions already planted are as follows
North Carolina, 10; South Carolina, SO
Georgia, 80; Florida, o.; Alabama, 80; Mis-
sissippi, 76; Louisiana, n; Texas, 81; Ar
kansas, 10; Tennessee, n.
The plants that have appeared are gen
orally looking well, though somewhat back
ward for the season. In this respect condi
tion declines quite regularly from the sea
board to the Texas border, being most un
favorable in Louisiana, where the first hal
of April was cold and wet. The stand 4
as yet defective. The first regular repor
of condition, Jure l, will be as early an in
dieatlon as will be of material value.
The condition of pastures is unusually
good, also that of moving lands.
In the more southern states Bermuda
grass (Cynodon) is attaining prominence
Grab grass (Panicum sanguinale), every
where growing wild in this region, is uttl
/ lied to good advantage for hay by planter
who make any account of hay making. II
some cases, after the oats harvest, the stub
BILE fields produce a fine growth OF cral
grass, which is moved and cured. johnson
grass Sorghum halepense) is grown con
siderably III this district. In the west, from
Minnesota to Texas, the millets are eXten
sively grown and popular for forage pur
poses. They are grown, but not so general
or extensively in the older states eastward
as substitutes for meadow grasses.
Lucerne alfalfa of California; is comm!
into use west Of the Mississippi. AS ia
north as Minnesota 1t has found localitie
well suited to its profitable growth. /
correspondent In Carver county, MINI.
says that 1t yields "three cuttings of tn
very best hay, and is less apt than RET
clover to be spoiled by rain while curing.
ever, this side Of the Rocky mountains
On the Pacific coast it is found extremel
productive and very profitable.
The wild grasses Of prairies OF the eS
IRENE west, bordering on the "plains,
where buffalo and other short grasses holt
sway, are very extensively utilized in Kan
sas, Nebraska. Iowa, Minnesota, and Da
kota; but with advance OF cultivation AM
settlement the "tame gTassesh OF the cas-
are coming In. On the Pacific coast oat
and barley are still the main resources 70
stock feeding, though forage plants an
meadow grasses are gradually making thei
j way.
"a CHANGES IN AREA.
There has been but little change In tn
comparative area devoted to the prlncipl
crops. There was nowhere any consider
- able acreage of wlnter.kllled grain to b
piowpd up, In some sections there ar
M local tendencies to increase the area OF on
II crop at the expense Of the other, in Til
hope of obtaining more profitable result,
In the New England states there Is
marked decline in the area to be devoted
potatoes, on account Of the low prices G
The product and the prevalence OF rot f.
the last TWO seasons. In Maine, Mass,