The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-08-16
SOUTH DAKOTA CROPS.
The Immigration Commissioners Crop
Report Up 10 Aug. 4.

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ing the dry and cool moaRhs offspring.
| Seeding had been later han usual,
but the plentiful moisture of the first
summer month caused rapid develop
ment and the impression was general
that the possible warm and drying
winds OF July would have no serious
or widespread effect.
Our July report, which includes
August LIST, is not as encouraging as
was expected. The month was as
dry as June was wet Singular to say
the condition was reversed, the wet
test month in seven years was follow
ed by the hottest and dryest month
i'm seven years,
As usual, from the speculative cen
ters, come stories OF failure and then
again of unusual abundance, many Of
them invented to serve temporary
schemes and Jobs. The wheat crop
OF India and South OF Europe is re-
winter wheat crop of the United STATES
is said to be the shortest in several
years. There is nothing in the condi-
ton Of the grain crops of South Da-
kota to Justify any reckless or exag
gerated statements of failure or OF
great success. The average yield may
not be as large as in some former
years; it is larger however than last
year.
II the general reports concerning
the worlds crops are true, those who
have wheat to sell may realize prices
which have not prevailed for several
seasons, and in that is compensation
for what may be q light yield.
Our July reports cover 45 counties
with information received from 97
correspondents, all of whom are re-
sponsibIe farmers and safely conser-
vative in their estimates. Many of
our regular reporters were too busy in
the harvest fields to answer our ques-
tions. A study of the table will show
wide variance, easily explained when
the large area,-76, 500 square miles
is taken into consideration. The
average showing OF the principal pro-
ducts Is reduced from 10 to 10 per
cent. over June.
The average condition OF wheat, as
based upon reports from our cores
pondents, il 81 per cent; OF corn 65
per cent; of oats 90 per cent; ofrye
II per cent; of barley SO per cent; of
buckwheat 10 per cent; OF flax 90 per
cent; OF wild hay 73 percent; oftame
grasses "a per cent; OF potatoes 90
per cent; Of vegetables go per cent.
As stated in the table, 100 IN the
basis, representing the best possible
condition of the crop. This happy
statement is made however from very
few counties, and those are in theeast
and southeastern part OF the State,
where the general average OF all crops
is the highest. Fortunately,this is the
most populous region. Some OF the
lowest averages are i'm the most sparse
Iy settled counties, which aid however
in reducing the general average OF the
whole State.
WHEAT.
The June report showed, two coun-
ties-McCook and Meade with an
average OF 100. This month they
drop to 90 and 80 respectively.
Twenty-Five counties show 20 per
cent. and over, Turner leading with
95. The counties showing the largest
averages are those having the most
correspondents. Only seven counties
report under 80 per cent, or less than
a half crop. Buffalo, and that only
from one correspondent from the
northeast, showing 10 per cent; the
next lowest being Mcpherson with 20
per cent, and then Brule with % per
cent.
The rains of June caused q rapid
growth of stalk and heads, but theun-
precedented high temperature OF July
retarded the full development of the
grain, and the result is that IL is some
what smaller than it would otherwise
have been had the weather been nor
NAL. From all that can be learned
"No. Northern, will be the princi-
pal grade, although 'tNo. hard"
may pour out OF the spout Of the
threshing machine in greater quantity
than now considered probable.
The James River Valley does not
make the showing Of former years but
the result may be different there rs
elsewhere, when the returns are all IN.
CORN.
The lack of rain during July injured
the second great field cropoftheState,
but not enough to make any serious
reduction in yield, if there should be
August showers. The change from
June to July was 15 per cent; the
highest averages being in the conn
counties" of the east and southeast,
Codington leading with 100 per cent. 1,
Clay following with 9S and five others
having 80 and over.
OATS
The general average Of this crop is
63 per cent lone point under wheat
and two under corn. Tie counties to-
the east and southeast leading, with
Lincoln at the head, rated at 95 per
cent,
This crop leads among che small
grain. The general average being IL
per cent, but fewer reports were re-
ceiyed concerning it.
BARLEY AND BUcRwHEAT.
The brewers grain leads wheat four
points, the general average kcing 6s
per cent, with Codington and Grant
rated at 100 per cent, and several
others 90 per cent. and over. Buck
wheat, wherever reported, shows fair
ly well, Clark and Turner each report
ing 100 per cent 1.-The average of the
State being 10.
FLAX.
This crop shows q reduction Of 10
per cent, but there is a larger acreage
tharPever before. and the. total yield
will doubtless equal, il not exceed, any
former year.
VEGETABLES AND POTATOES.
The lack Of moisture has damaged
garden stun and root crops but IL Ii
not too late yet, with few rains. to-
mature these crops.
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