The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1890-05-07
MONTHLY CROP REPORT.
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF
AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE
AND STATISTICS,


AND STATISTICS,
Frankfort, KY, May l, 1890.
In resuming my crop reports for the
season, I beg to thank correspondents
for prOmptness and TO insist upon pains
and accuracy, in order that the entire
country may know the condition of our
crops from time to time as we'll as the
acreage and final yield. BY this means
the seller is posted as well as the buyer.
l mail my crop reports to every news
paper in the State and il they are not
published it is not my fault. My pres
ent appropriation is so small that every
method of economy has to be adopted.
If had more appropriation 1 would
attempt to reach every farmer with the
acreage Of crops, their yield per acre
and condition from time to time, also
with the comparative amount Of live
stock, their condition, etc. would also
give the general history and resources
of the State by counties with average
price of land and such other infOrma-
ton as might be of use to the better
ment of our State.
Wheat.-We have had a very re-
markable winter, the thermometer
never touching lower than Is degrees
above zero. The average date Of seed
ing wheat was October Is, 1889, the
early seeding beginning September 20.
The grain sprOuted promptly on ac-
count Of the open and favorable fall
and was we'll rooted. There being no
freezes and thaws, the root was not dis
turbed in its growth. The excessive
rains and warm days occurring nearly
the whole of the winter gave the stalk
q rapid and premature growth-cOn-
tanning, of course, a watery and sappy
blade. When the sudden freeze came
in the latter part of the winter the
blades were apparently killed, and
wheat field that looked fresh and green
before the freeze, resembled an old dead
meadow. AT the time it was thought
the crop was ruined, but the sprouts
again came forth from the vigorous
roots and many farmers now declare
the freeze an advantage.
The facts are as follows All wheat
that was iointed at the time of the
freeze is virtually worthless. This con-
stituted very small per cent. of the
crop at the time. The early wheat has
suffered most, which is certainly an ex-
ceptiOn to all of the laws governing
this crop. A small per centage of the
area has been drowned out by over
flow. Taking II all together 7S9 farmers
in the best wheat sections of this State
give the present condition as compared
with last year at SO per cent. These
reports average about the 22ud Of April,
since which time the condition has ev-
identity improved and it may be as
sumed that the condition as compared
with last years. is fully 96 to 100 per
cent. Some sections claim the present
condition to be so and some as low as
IS per cent. of last year, while many
farmers quote 100 to ITO.
Rye.-This crop is very promising
and the condition compared with last
year is 100.
Oals.-This important crop is posi-
bly, three weeks later than usual in
seeding, caused by the excessive rains
during the ordinary months of sowing.
COrn.-COrn planting is fully two
weeks later than usual. The area and
outcome will be reported each month
during the season.
TObaeco.-It is yet too early to state
any material facts as TO this crop. On
the Goth of April, as an average date Of
reports, the amount OF seed sOwD, as
compared with 1889, was SO per cent.
A very Large per cent Of these seed
were sown in March and April, and
there is great complaint as to seed not
coming up. This may be on account
of the bugs, the late freeze, or the i'm.
perfection of seed. These hinderances
aud complaints are not unusual, and
no well defined opinion can be given
earlier than July LIST. 1t is, however,
positive the planting will be late.
Apples.-As compared with last year
the condition is IS per cent, some coun-
ties reporting full bloom. But every
opinion indicates a very short crop Of
early apples, and many good apple
counties say the late bloom is not in
iured.
Peaches.-Peach trees have respond
ed very freely to the warm open winter
in their blooming. Blooms have been
noticed on peach trees three months
during the winter. Many counties re-
port tile crop entirely killed, while
others report they will have a fair
yield. The State average shows about
20 per cent. loss Of the. crop.
Pastures of all kinds have been IA
vored by weather conditions, and are
as gooo as could be desired.
Stock of all kinds are in fine condi-
ton by reason of good pastures and
plenty Of food from last year. Hog
cholera is prevalent In many sections
OF the State. Yours very truly,
CHARLES Y. WILSON,
Commissioner Of Agriculture.