Wichita eagle., 1889-06-26
THE CROP SITUATION.
Advices Conflict Considerably, But Are
Less Gloomy Than for Weeks.

Less Gloomy Than for Weeks.
| CHICAGO, June 25-The Daily Business
publishes the following crop report:
The interest during the past week has
centered largely in Dakota and Minnesota
and the condition of the spring wheat
| there. The news which has come through
public channels has been very conflicting,
but the crop killers seem to have had the
best of it, and the impression has been
| created that the crop Of that important
| section was to be a poor one. Advices
| from our own correspondents have also
been conflicting to degree, but as rule
they are less gloomy than those which
have come through public sources. Many,
| it is true, report irreparable damage from
the prolonged drought, but by far the
greater number are Of confident or
hopeful character.
One thing is undeniable; that is, that in
many and very considerable areas, both in
Dakota and Minnesota, the damage from
dry weather has been very severe, so
severe, in fact. that in some districts the
crop will not be so per cent. Of an average,
the larger and more important districts
the rainfall has been abundant and the
condition of the crop all that could be
desired.
The drought has unquestionably been
more severe in Dakota than in Minnesota,
and consequently the condition Is worse IN
the former than in the last named state.
The drought was practically unbroken
until the last day or SO of the week, since
which reports come of copious rains which
must improve the situation to some extent
at least But still the injury has pro-
crossed too far to be fully remedied even
by the most favorable conditions from
now on to the harvest. Still we find little
in our reports to warrant the exceedingly
gloomy estimates which have been put for
ward of late, many of which carry the sug->
gestion of an almost total failure Of the
wheat crop in the northwest and especially
in Dakota and Minnesota. 1t must be adj
mitted, however, that the outlook is not
essentially promising. that it has been
seriously impaired by the drought, and II
the yield is equal to that of last season it
must be made up from the increased acre.
age, for the outlook is not as good as at
the harvest in 1888.
On a very careful analysis of reports we
should place the condition in Minnesota
now at about SO per cent. and In the
Dakotas at about so per cent.
gave the condition at "a for Minnesota and
SIS for Dakota, and for July, 1887, it was
given at 76 for Minnesota and So for
Dakota.
Iowa gives every promise Of more than
her average production of wheat, as we
hear of little complaint from there Of any
kind. The acreage will not be very much
from last year. Nebraska will harvest a
large crop, as everything seems favorable
there for such an outcome. The area in
spring wheat Is considerably larger than
last year.
Winter wheat has experienced little
change during the past week. Harvesting is
going on steadily in the more sontherly
areas and the quality of grain is said to be
all that could be desired and the yield fully
equal to expectations. The damage from
insects has been slight and even the green
plant louise, at whose appearance much
alarm was felt, has not cut much of a
figure asa destroying agent. There has been
some nervousness felt at the frequent
rains which have fallen in many parts
of winter wheat regions, where
harvest was in progress, but SO far we
get no reports of serious damage and APP
prehend that danger from that source is
very remote.
Kansas is now fairly engaged in the
harvest with the weather not especially
unfavorable. though rather too MUCK
rain, the yield being fully equal to expec-
tations and the situation fun of encour-
agement.
Missouri has improved some since our
last report, having had liberal rains in
many sections aud, though coming rather
late, were of much benefit to all crops.
New York and Pennsylvania still hold
out fine promise, though some damage
has recently been experienced from local
storms, but the injury is not sufficient to
cut any appreciable figure in the general
result.
Ohio, Indiana. Michigan and Illinois
show no material change in situation. The
condition in these states, while not es-
pecially promising. will not fall much be-
low the average unless some further dam
age should ensue.
Kansas reports no abatement in the
splendid promise she has held out the en-
tire season.
From the Pacific coast all information is
highly favorable and California, as we'll
as Oregon and Washington, report the
outlook as assuring an unusually heavy
yield.
Corn has not made the desired progress
during the past week. The temperature
has been too low for rapid develop
ment and in many localities the
rains have been so frequent that
cultivation has been retarded or
wholly prevented and many fields are ex-
foul There is time enough yet,
however, for an immense crop should we
have the necessary warmth and sunshine,
and weather which would admit of proper
Oats are in promising condition, with
the area sown very heavy, and there is
every reason to look for one of the largest
crops eyer harvested in this country.