Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-04
CROPS OF THE STATE.
Wheat Excellent, Oats Damaged and the
Corn Beyond. Calculation.

Topeka, Kan, August 3.-The follow
| ing official report was issued tonight by
the secretary of the state board of agricul-
| ture:
OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF AGRICUL-
TURE, TOPEKA, Kan, Augusta 3.
Reports now in from correspondents OF
this board representing los of the LOG coun-
ties of the state indicate that during the
month of July conditions have been highly
| favorable to all growing crops. Corn, sor-
ghum, millet, potatoes, ETC., made an un-
| usual growth, while on the other hand ex-
| cessiye and continued rains in many sec
tons of the state have very materially
| damaged wheat and oats.
Wheat-In the southern half of the state
where the harvest was early there has come
but little complaint of damage to wheat
from rust. In some counties, however,
in that section, damage in the shock is re-
ported from heavy rains, which lnterfered
with stacking or threshing out of the
shock. On the whole, however, while the
actual condition of the wheat cannot be
fully determined until threshing is further
along, yet it is believed that the damage
is not serious. The average yield per acre
where threshing has been done, our re-
pOrters say, in nearly all cases exceeded
their expectations. In the northern half
of the state, and especially in the two
northern tiers of counties, the soft wheat
varieties, particularly on bottom land,
have been seriously damaged by rust The
harder varieties of wheat, such as the Tur-
key, passed through the ordeal all right
and are making heavy yields. The same
difficulty in stacking was experienced
in the north as in the south and in some
cases damage to crops resulted The dam
age to the crop from both these causes,
rust and exposure in the shock, according
to our correspondents, is greater in the
northern than in the southern portion OF
the state, and will amount to considerable
in the aggregate, yet how much can not
be determined now. On the other hand
the average product of wheat per acre
where threshing has been done is shown to
be higher than the estimate previously
placed, and will compensate in part for the
loss sustained. As the damage by rust is
confined to a comparatively small portion
of the state, the loss to the crop in the ag-
gregate for the state will probably not be
large.
Oats - The oat crop in many
counties of eastern Kansas has been
lost. Many fields badly rusted and lodged
were not cut at all, and others which were
cut could not be stacked in consequence of
continued rains. Our correspondents say
the crop is practically of but little value.
In the western half of the state the crop is
generally good and a very heavy yield re-
ported. The loss in the aggregate cannot
be estimated now, but enough is known to
place it at not less than 40 per cent Of the
aggregate product promised month
ago
Corn-The loss in the oat crop according
to our correspondents reports will be
largely compensated by the extraordinary
corn crop, which seems TO be assured
at this date. The copious rains
which fell at regular intervals
during the month of July with the hot
suns made the conditions most highly
favorable to rapid and vigorous growth
of corn and the plant which a month
earlier was backward has recovered lost
ground and is making ears at the usual
time. The only drawback reported is that
some fields were neglected in cultivation
and weedy. But for this the condition
would be reported still higher.
Summary-Corn compared with a full
average condition 105 per cent; barley Sc;
potatoes 10; millett 98: sorghum 9S;
broom corn 95; flax SO; tame grasses
10S; prairie grass 10; apples, prospects for
crop 20 per cent; peaches, prospect for crop
81 per cent; grapes, prospect for crop 100
per cent.
Rainfall and chinch bugs-With the ex
ception of few counties of the western
portion of the state rain is reported abu
dant for the month OF July and chinch
bugs have practically disappeared, yet
with favorable climatic condition 1t would
become evident no doubt that they are not
all dead yet. NJ. MOHLER,
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.