Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-04-09
Crop Report.

The following crop report issued
by Secretary Mohler of the state
board of agriculture Is one of the
most encouraging documents that has
been issued by that department. for
many years. The correspondents of
this board numbering about 500 and
representing 104 of the log counties
indicate very clearly that the gen
eral 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 wintering
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-phe increase in area soWn
to wheat In the fall of 1890 as COM
pared with that sown the previous
year, as estimated by our correspon-
dents, is 35 per cent, which gives a
total area for the state for this year
of 2, 033, OBS acres, or an excess of 527,
081 acres over that of the previous
year. Less than 2 per cent is report
ed winter killed. General condition
of plant as compared with full stand
and unimpaired vitality IS 49, per
cent.
Rye-1he acreage of rye is esti-
mated at 2 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 healthy condition, but
in consequence of a scarcity of feed
of all kinds, as a rule is thin in flesh,
with the exception of such as were
damaged by the severe drouth 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
cord:ng to our correspondents reports
has never been better at this date
than now. In forty-three counties on
the Eastern half of Kansas the Hes
sian fly is reported as having been
present last fall in early sown wheat.
In few localities considerable dam
age is reported but the winter and
especially the early spring, being so
unusually favorable, the plant SENS to
have recovered to a large extent from
the damage of last fall.
There is, however, much anxiety
among farmers IN whose wheat fields
the fly was found in the fall. The
fear is widespread that the eggs
found deposited last fall may bring
forth young brood which in a mea-
sure 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 destroyed the eggs.
The season IN nearly every portion
of the state is reported from ten days
to two weeks later than usual, but the
condition of the soil for spring crops,
EXCEPT where there is too much mois-
ture is excellent. The frequent and
heavy falls of rain and snow during
March has greatly retarded farm OPP
erations such as sowing of spring
wheat, oats and barley. In but few
counties has the condition of soil per-
mitted this work TO be done prior to
April 1st
With the advent of warm weather.,
wheat and all kinds Of grasses viii
grow rapidly and cattle will no doubt
reach grass as early date as usual.
not withstanding the backward
weather Of March.