The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-04-29
The Prospects for Good Crops
in Those States at Present
Very Bright.
Arrival Of Members Of the United
States Survey to Investigate
irrigation.
Lumbermen Discouraged by Reports
from the Upper Tributaries
Other News.

4 The past week has been one of great im-
portanee 10 the farmers OF North dakota.
Ram and cool weather have prevailed every.
where. IA is believed thai for the present
II least the crisis regarding the whsst crop
has been safely passed. Aillccaiities have
had showers. 1T least. while In somsseoun-
ties, such a. Dickey and La Moure, where
the droush was doing great damage there
has been soaking rain. The weathsr has
been unusually cold for this tsms pf The
year. Tbs conditions nov are Just right
Tor the growing wheat. The moisfure Is
sufficient for the present. The ssstifng of
wheat IL we'll along toward compilation,
which 10 fortunate thing for the farmers,
considering the favorable turn Ia the
weather.
On account OF the drouth of last year a
feeling of uncertainty prevails among the
farmers. While the soil is in good condi-
tion for the planting of grain and seeding
Is progressing rapidly, moisture IL Deeded
to insure the crop. New breaking Is dry,
indeed very dry. The hot Winds Of last
summer dried the moisture out of the sod
and as bat little snow fell daring the
winter, IL leaves that portion of the land
considerably dryer than the rest. The fall
plowing aud stubbls land absorbed what
moisture fell and retained IL. WITH
reasonable amount of rain the fields would
be Ia splendid condition for growing crops,
for the reoson that tbs soil Ia mellow, with
comparatively few Jumps. Spring work
was begun IN reasonably good season,
and viii be finished at an early date.
A.. - II - 4
taking matters easily. Quite an acreage Of
oats, barley aud corn will be planted, while
potatoes and fax viii be increased. Sam
mer following TO considerable extent has
now become a fixed principle and part OF
the regular work with many farmers. II is
found thar land thus treated yields better
crops, IA freer from weeds and fonl atnf
and Is less apt 20 be affected by drought.
Besides this II gives the land rest, which
seems TO be as necessary as IL is with she
hnma&n seee. eslS4
the contrary; but no one attempts to con-
ceal the fact that the new statss are passing
through O very critical penod. A good
growing season meane general prosperity
and permansncy. Another drought means
stiIl greater depression than the country
has yet experienced.
One fact impresses itself upon all who
carefully observe the development or
Dickey county. and shet Is, that plenty OF
people are ready TO invest money or locate
here when the crop prospects are In the
least encouraging. These Is an abundance
of capital seeking investment, and the pub
lie have not lost faith in the Dakotas. The
prosperity OF the country 10 q considerable
extent Ia 10 the hands of buainess men and
large property owners. They have the
power TO invite and encourage settlers and
investors. Their liberaiity In this respect
will do much to tide over the present de-
precision and continue the development OF
the country.
Another Report.
Huaox, 8. D.. April D.
Returns from thirty-seven counties IN
North and South Dakota sent to the
United States signal Office indicate that
the temperature and sunshine conditions
the past weak have been favorable TO all
seasonable farm work. Rain has been In
the form Of local showers, covering narrow
areas, and good rains are reported from
Burleigh, Dicky, Nelson, Ramsey, Steele,
| stutsman, Trail and Wells counties IN
North Dakota, and Custer, deuel., Mc-
| Pherson, Pennington, Suly. Waiworth
and Yankton counties In South Dakota.
| Elsewhere the showers have been light;
reports indicate that the condition and
prospects have improved In most localities
Ia North Dakota and small grain seeding 10
/ we'll advanced toward completion. Seeding
is practically completed In South Dakota,
/ preparations for corn planting begun and
much OF the wheat growing nicely. Rain
would, however, be very beneficial IN
| many localities in both states.
no Investigate Irrigation.
HunoE q u, April "a.
Robert Hay and j. b. Greenwood, mem-
bers OF the United States irrigation survey
have arrived At Huron and viii be joined
by Col. Nettleton, supervising engineer. II
once. They come direct from Washing.
tom, and are sent 10 Investigate irrigation
By artesian wells, there being two farms
near Hnron upon which the experiment Il
10 be thoroughly tested. Prof. Updyke
OF the agricultural college II Brookings, y
also present. He has been appointed b
the government TO take charge Of the worl
In South Dakota, east OF the Missonr
river. The commission will begin its to
bors ID soon a. Col. Nettleton arrives.
Mysterious Dgsssse IN insIsana.
i 49,. As.w4f a