The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1889-05-14
CROPS GOOD.
The Missouri State Board of
Agriculture Makes its
Report.

The crop report of the Missouri
state board of agriculture up to May
/ is as follows and speaks for itself:
Iii is doubtful if ever the general
outlook for crops has been more favor
able in this state than at present; it
has not heen In recent years. From
all sections of the state, and almost
every county, come reports of fatter-
ing prospects for farm crops and fruits,
and the condition Of stock. In south
west Miss Iuri excessive rains have
retarded farm work, but vegetation
has pushed forward rapidly all over
the state. From the northern part of
the state have cote a few complaints
of lack of rain, the wheat being some
what injuriously affected 10 conse-
quence. But as a whole the weather
seems to have been remarkably favor
ably, both for vegetation and the
prosecution of farm work. The sea-
sen is from ten days to two weeks in
advance Of last year,
Wheat-Since the April report was
made the condition of winter wheat
has advanced from 50. z to SO per cent,
being but two points short of perfect
normal condition for the whole state.
But 1.5 per cent of the land in wheat
has been plowed up, and is almost
wholly In the northern part of the
state where the unfavorable conditions
which prevailed at and after seeding
time, prevented many fields from even
getting a good start.
Spring wheat is confined to less than
a dozen northern counties, and the
area is 1.5 per cent less than that
sown last year, due, probably, to the
same causes which have for a number
of years been reducing the area of
winter wheat.
Oats-The acreage of oats compar-
ed with last years crop, is 3 per cent
less. In the southern part of the state
there has been slight increase, the
decrease being in north Missouri. In
the latter section self binders are more
largely nsed than in south Missouri,
and many correspondents affirm that
the decrease in area of spring grain is
due to the prospective high price OF
binder Irvine.
Barley is grown to very limited
extent in this state. 1t is reported ~
less than dozen counties.
Pastures are in an almost perfect
normal condition, and the moving
lands are nearly as good. The acre
age of the latter has been increased
per cent, thus continuing the gradual
change from grain to grass, which
has been going on for a number OF
years.
Cotton is grown for market in about
fourteen of the extreme southern
counties of the state. The crop has
been paying fairly well during the
last few years, and the acreage is IN
creasing.
Fruits-A good crop of peaches is
now well assured throughout the
state. Apples are not so promising,
due probably in part to the abundant
crop of last year. Strawberries and
other small fruits promise well.
New crops-Alfalfa clover is being
quite extensively introduced through
out the state. Alsike clover is also
being tried. In Southeast Missouri
stock peas are being grown for hay,
and are increasing in favor. Orchard
grass is getting foot-hold through
out the state, and where known, is
becoming deservedly popular as a
pasture grass.
Flax, though not new crop to the
state, is being sown in sections where
it has not heretofore bsen raised very
largely, and the total acreage seems
likely to be increased. BroomcOrn,
tobacco and artichokes are among the
crops spoken of as being new in GER
tain districts, The growing of small
and large fruits for markets is on the
increase.