Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-09
KANSAS CROPS.

Encouraging Report From secretary
MohIer.
TOPEKA, Kan, April S.-The follow
ing crop report, issued yesterday by
Secretary Mohler, of the state board OF
agriculture, is one of the most en-
couraging documents that has been Is
sued by that department for many
years: 1.-THE correspondents OF TINS
board, numbering about 500, and repre-
senting 1O4 of the log counties OF the
state, indicate very clearly that the
general agricultural outlook through
out the state is more encouraging at
this date than it has been for some
years. The mildness of the winter was
highly favorable to the winterlng Oh
stock, which on account OF scarcity
of feed otherwise would have suffered
greatly. The frequent rains and SHOWS
during March have greatly strengthened
the wheat plant and have furnished an
abundance of moisture to start to grow
vigorously all spring crops and grasses
as soon as the warm sunshine comes.
''Wheat-The increase in area sown
to wheat in the fall of 1890 as compared
with that sown the previous year as es-
timated by our correspondents is 80 per
cent. which gives total area for the
state for this year of 2,O3S, OBS acres, or
an excess of 527, ISL acres over that OF
the previous year. Less than 2 per
cent. is reported winter killed. The
general condition of the plant, as com
pared with a full stand and unimpared
vitality, is 9s]E per cent
Of IL
mated at per cent. less than last
years and the condition compared with
full average for term of years is 100
per cent.
Live stock generally throughout the
state is in a healthy condition but in
consequence of a scarcity Of feed all
kinds as rule are thin in flesh.
with the exception of such as were
damaged by the severe drought OF last
summer, the condition OF tame grasses
is excellent throughout the state.
''The condition of fruit buds OF all
kinds in every portion of the state, &C
cording to our correspondents reports,
has never been better at this date than
now.
'In forty-three counties OF the
eastern half of Kansas the Hessian fly Is
reported as having been present last
fall in early sown wheat In a few
localities considerable damage is re-
ported, but the winter and especially
the early spring being so unusually
favorable, the plant seems to have re-
covered to large extent from the
damage of last fall. There is, however,
much anxiety now among farmers In
whose wheat fields the fly was found ID
the fall. The fear is widespread that
the eggs found deposited last fall may
bring forth a young brood, which IN q
measure may be disastrous to the CROP
now so full of promise. However, many
reporters are of the opinion that the
wet and cold weather of March has des-
troyed the eggs.
'sThe season in nearly every portion
of the state is reported from ten days tc
two weeks later than usual, but the
condition of the soil for spring crops
except where there is too much moist
ure, is excellent The frequent and
heavy falls of rain and snow during
March have greatly retarded farm oper'
atoms, such as the sowing of spring
wheat, oats and barley. In but few
counties has the condition of the sol
permitted the work to be done prior tc
April I. With the advent Of warn
weather wheat and all kinds of grasses
will grow rapidly, and cattle viii No
doubt reach grass at as early a date a
usual. notwithstanding the backward
weather of March,