Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-08-13
THE CROP REPORT.
Corn Has Fallen Off Two Points
and Potatoes Have Gained.
SPRING WHEAT HAS ADVANCED.
Oats Show an ImprOvement-BarIey Also
Promises a Large Crop-BucIxwheat
Shows a Slight Increase in
Average.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE August
returns to the statistician of the depart
ment of agriculture make the condition
of corn, COS; spring wheat, 95.5; spring
rye, 500; oats, S9.5; barley, 93.s; buck
wheat 973; potatoes, 96.5; tobacco,
SS.5; hay, 900.
Corn has fallen off two points during
the month, the decline being almost
entirely in states of the Ohio valley and
the northwest. The decline was due
to dry weather, approaching drought
in portions of Indiana and Illinois
and low temperature in all sections of
the corn surplus districts. There was
a sufficient rainfall in Kansas and Ne
braska, with some local excesses, and
the month was fairly favorable not
withstanding low temperatures East
OF the Allegheny mountains and in the
south conditions were. favorable and
state average advanced. The crop con-
tinues late in most sections, the result
of the poor start and absence of hot,
forcing weather during July. Unless
NAugrst should prove unusually favor
able and the season be a long one there
is grave danger that the crops may not
mature properly. While the general
average is reasonably high, correspond
ents qualify by emphasizing the neces-
sity for a favorable season from this
date on In the surplus states the av-
erages are: Ohio, 90; Indiana, ss; Il
linois, SO; Iowa, 90; Missouri, 81; Kan
sas, IS; Nebraska, SO. 1t should be
noted that but one of the surplus states
returns an average higher than the av-
erage for the country.
The wheat returns for spring wheat
show the average for the whole breadth
advancing somewhat during the month.
The improvement is general except in
Washington where hot winds injured
the prospect in some districts and in
the state returns outside of this state
and Wisconsin closely approach the
standard for comparison. Principal
states are: Wisconsin, 20; Minnesota,
9S; Iowa, 95; Nebraska, 81; North Da-
kota, 80; South Dakota, 9s; Washing
ton, 80.
Oats have improved two points during
the month and the figures of condition
indicate a medium yield per acre. The
blight, which ruined the crop last year
and was feared again at the date of the
July report, has appeared in but few
isolated localities. The weather at the
close of the growing season and during
harvest was generally favorable and
late growth was sufficient to largely
offset the poor start and deficient stand
The cool weather which retarded corn
growth in Ohio and Upper Mississippi
valleys was favorable to this cereal,
materially advancing state averages.
Averages in states of larger proportion
are: New York, 90; Pennsylvania, 81;
Ohio, Sc; Michigan, Sc; Illinois, Sc; Wis
consin, SO; Minnesota, "a; Iowa, 9S;
Kansas, 90: Nebraska, 96.
Barley shows improvement and prom
ises large crop in most of the districts
of the heavy production California re-
turns condition at 100 or practically
perfect. In New York and Wisconsin,
however, the prospect is less favorable.
The first return for buckwheat is the
highest for eight years past with slight
increase in average
The condition of potatoes is returned
remarkably high, scoring a gain Of
point over last month. In fifteen years
previous to the present season August
shows condition higher than July
but once. Should the present pros
pect be continued the crop will be
one of unusual proportions