Iron County register., 1888-07-26
Agricultural A Report No. so.
WHEAT.

The reduction of crop area in coun-
try increasing in population over two
per cent. per annum is doubtful and
difficult to realize. A backward move
ment is not national habit. 1t was
assumed that low prices of wheat
would reduce the area. Last fall the
returns of acreage indicated almost a
full breadth of winter wheat. The
present investigation shows heavy
decline, amounting to about 1,750 900
acres in the Ohio valley and other
states, with an offset of 500, 900 acres
increase in Kansas. The net decrease
in winter wheat area will be about
1,25O, 900. There has been an increase
of area of spring wheat in Dakota and
other territories farther west, but de-
crease in Iowa, Wisconsin and Mime
sofa, making decrease for spring re-
gi0n of one per cent.
Taking winter and spring wheat to-
gether the entire area is very near
SO, 800, 900 acres. The present condition
yield much above 10g bushels per acre
on about %, 900 900 acres, and that the
promise of spring wheat is about Is
bushels per acre on 13,300,000 acres.
OATS.
The steady enlargement in the area
devoted to oats, which has been OH the
steady increase since 1870. The in
crease of acres of the crop of 1883 over
the crop of 1887 amounts to per cent,
or nearly 100000 acres, aud brings
the total area up to near about q, ,O00,-
900 acres. In extent of cultivation
oats is exceeded only by two ara
BILE crops, corn and wheat, and since
1884 it has been rapidly encroaching
upon wheat. the area incr easing during
that time $500, 600 acres, while wheat
has fallen off 100000 acres. While
wheat is food for men only, oats is food
for man and beast, showing the need
of an increased supply for home con-
sumption. The average condition
throughout the country is 95.4.
BARLEY.
The acreage of barley is very nearly
the same as that of 1887. Condition is
somewhat better than last year, giving
promise of good crop. Average, SS.S,
against 81 last year.
RYE.
The ,area of rye is apparently un-
oI, 10 M hotter
than wheat, indicating all average of
93.9.
The June report makes no inquiries
relative to corn, planting in some parts
of the country not being entirely fin
isbed at the date set for the return OF
circulars. In the eastern and middle
states planting has been delayed by
complaint of seed rottlpg in the ground.
Virginia and the Carolinas report the
season wet and late; poor stand; great
damage by worms. Gulf states, medi-
um stand, though late. Texas reports
some corn in silk and tassel and condi-
ton generally good. In Tenne ssee and
Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
it has been difficult to get a good stand
on account cf wet and cut-worms.
Some farmers have had 10 plant three
times to get stand. Missouri, Kan
sas and Nebraska have generally a
much better prospect, though the stand
is somewhat impaired and growth a
little backward. There is some conf
plant of worms and chinch-bugs.
FRUIT.
Apples blossomed we'll all over the
country, yet not much can be said
about the crops at present, as the cold
winds and wet weather are causing
much of the fruit to fall off. and is still
falling. Peaches seem to be more
abundant than apples aud more abund-
ant than for many years.
Meadows From all parts of the
north and west, where the drouth of
1887 was so severe, there is but one re-
port from all: grass very thin and
short; more weeds than hay. The hay
crop for 1883 will be one of the poorest
ever harvested that we have any report
of. T. P. RUSSELL.
The Sabbath.