Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-05-16
MISSOURI CROPS.
Crop report of the Missouri State Board
of Agriculture For May 4, 1889.

Crop report of the MISSOURI state Board
of Agriculture For May 1, 1889.
MISSOURI STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE,
COLUMBIA, Mo-. May 4, 1889. {
1t Is doubtful if ever the general outlook for
crops has been more favorable in this State
than at present; certainly it has not been in
recent years. From all sections Of the State,
and almost every county come reports of fla t.
tering prospects for farm crops and fruits, and
of the condition of stock.
In Southwest Missouri excessive rains have
retarded farm work, but vegetation has pushed
forward rapidly all over the State. From the
northern part of the State have come a few
complaints of lack of rain, and wheat being
somewhat injurously affected in consequence.
but as whole. the weather seems to have been
remarkably favorable, both for vegetation and
the prosecution of farm work. The season 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 to 9S per cent, being but two points
short of n perfect normal condition for the
whole State. But Is per cent. of the land in
wheat has been plowed up, and this 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 good start.
SPRING WHEAT-Spring wheat is confin ed
to less than dozen of the northern counties,
and the area is five per cent less than that
sown last year. due. probably, to the same
causes which have for a number of years been
reducing the of winter wheat.
OATS-The acreage of oats compared with
last years crop is three 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 used than in South Missouri,
and many correspondents affirm that the de-
crease in area Of spring grain is due to the
prospective high price OF binder Irvine.
rlp iC I'm n VOL
extent in this State 1t is reported in less than
q dozen counties.
Observation-Disclosures are In an almost perfect
normal condition. and the moving lands are
in nearly as good. The acreage of the latter
has been increased one per cent, thus contin-
Uing the gradual change from grain to grass,
which has been going on for a number OF years.
COTTON-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 increasing.
FRUITS-A good crop Of peaches is now we'll
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 we'll
NEW CROPS-Afalfa clover is being quite ex-
teasively introduced throughout the State.
AlsiEe clover is also being tried. In Southeast
Missouri stock peas are being grown for hay.
and are increasing in favor. Orchard grass is
where known, is becoming deservedly popular
as a pasture grass.
FLAX-FlaX. though not new crop to the
State. is being sown in sections where it has
not heretofore been raised very largely, and
the total acreage seems likely to be increased.
Broom-corn, tobacco and artichohes are among
the crops spoken of as being new IN certain dis
trcts. The growing of small and large fruits
for market is on the increase
SUMMARY OF RETURNS.
Winter wheat, average condition April 90, 9s
per cent.
Wheat, area plowed up, Is per cent
Wheat, spring, acreage sown compared 1888,
95 per cent
Oats, acreage compared with 1893, 99.7 per
cent.
Pasture, average condition, 90 per cent.
Meadows. condition. 90 per cent.
Meadows, acreage, 101 per cent.
Barley, acreage compared with 1888, 90 pei
cent.
Cotton, acreage compared with 1888, 105 per
cent.
Peaches, average condition. % per cent.
Apples. averare condition, 9! per cent.
Strawberries, condition 81 per cent.
Proportion of spring blowing already done
MAY I, 800, 81 per cent
Proportion usually done by May 1. Gin aver
age year, 75.5 per cent.
Season, days earlier than April 80 1888, ia
days. Respectfully submitted,
LEVI CHUBBUCK, Secretary