Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-04
WATCHING THE WHEAT
PROSPECTS OF LESS THAN AN
 AVERAGE WHEAT CROP
The Hot Weather Endangers the Ripen- ing GraIn-BliGht and Rust Appear In
 Many Sections of the West.

Many Sections of the West.
 ST PAUL, Minn., Aug. At no season of the year are the wheat fields of the Northwest watched with so much solici- tude as at the present, and the true val ue of a thoroughly reliable report of the con- dition of the Spring Wheat crop can only be realized by those who are constantly reading conflicting statements often sent out by persons whose interest cannot allow the publication of an unbiased crop report. The following is compiled with great care and by personal observation of best grain men in the places mentioned. Reports from the line of the St Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway show 8 stations with prospects the same as last season, 40 re- porting prospects better, and 33 reporting from 15 to 40 per cent. less than last season. The weather the last week has been very hot, and has caused some blight. The rust reported the last two weeks is still on the leaves, and has not apparently damaged tho crop. The damage from hot weather and rust is mostly in the late sown wheat, and occurred last week.
 Army worms have appeared at Fischer's Landing, in Minnesota, and Hillsborough and Kindred, in Dakota, and are doing some damage.
 Reports from the line of the Northern Pacific are not as favorable as last week. The weather has been too hot, and that, with the rust has caused blight. To what extent wheat has been damaged cannot be determined at present. There have been frequent rains the last week, follow ed by hot weather, which has had & dam aging effect. The crop is not far enough advanced along this line to Do damaged as much by heat as further south, where it is more matured. Wheat is blighted to some extent. The amount of damage can not be ascertained until later. The gen. eral expression along this line is that an average crop can be expected
 From stations in the James River Val ley, on the Milwaukee Railway, reports come that the weather the past week has been very unfRvorable for growing wheat, to what extent Is not definitely stated. It has ripened too fast, not having had q chance to fill properly, and will yield less than was expected one week ago. Some conservative reports estimate the damage done the last week at from 10 to 25 per cent
 Ten stations on the Winona and St. Peter Division of the Northwestern Railway re- port need of rain; the balance seem to have had plenty. The weather last week has been very unfavorable, the great heat causing more or less blight all along the line. A great many complain of heavy due at night, with hot sun coming out in the morning, causing rust and blight. Ten stations report from 10 to 9 per cent. less than an average crop. The last week has been favorable for chinch bugs and some damage is reported from thls cause.
 On the Chicago, St Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Road the heat and rust have badly blighted wheat, and with few eX- captions prospects are not as good as last season. The yield promises small and an inferior grade.
 From the Hastings and Dakota Division of the Milwaukee Railway east of Milbank, the reports are favorable. The weather has been hot, but there are no complaints of damage The general opinion along this line is that an average crop can belex- pected. The wEeat Is now 'In the dough, " and harvest will begin in few days.
 On the Southern Minnesota Division oi the Milwaukee Railway SIX stations report two thirds of a crop; two expect half a crop, and one one-quarter of crop, Three report the crop above an average, and the balance of the line expect an average, or about the same as last season.
 Chinch bugs are doing consider able damage in Faribault and Blue Earth Counties. Harvest will begin generally this week.
 Gov. McGill has within the past two days | the Northwest of the appearance in vast numbers sf the army worm in the wheat fields. The farmers have beco me alarmed and have written from various sections asking that something be done to prevent the ravages of this new enemy.
 Professor Lugger, the State Etomologist was despatched to Henning, in Ottertia couAty, to investigate the situation there, complaints having reached him that the army worm was devas tating the wheat fields ot that seStiou. He has received from the Professor a brief report in which he says "The cut worms doing damage 1 in ths region of Hsuning prove to be the | genuine army worm. As all the larvae arc HOW almost full grown they will not be seen after August $, In fact most Of them have entered the ground already for pupa- pation." Several packages con taining specimens of the army worms have been sent to the Governor and he has been asked by farmers in all quarters to do something to destroy the new enemy.