The Iola register., 1891-04-17
aorernment cron Rsnort.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE gov
ernment crop report issued to-day says:
On portions of the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts the time of seeding was some.
what prolonged by occasional rains but
the delay was not serious and the de-
sired area was planted and in good
growth by the advent of winter. Suit
able weather and soil conditions ena-
bled farmers of the Ohio Valley states
to put in full breadth under entirely
favorable circumstances and proper
combinations of sunshine and moisture,
which continues until cold weather sent
the plant into winter quarters with
sturdy growth and good color.
In portions of Kansas and Nebraska
the prolonged drought of last summer
extended into the period of seeding, in
termination slow, but seasonable
winter was sufficient to offset the disad-
vantage of late start.
The entire season was favorable in
California, while in Oregon a dry seed
bed received moisture in time to secure
good, though late growth. The weather
was generally mild over the whole area,
and while the snowfall was COM
paratively light it came when most
needed, protecting the plant during the
coldest weather. The Ohio valley and
Trans-Mississippi states are especially
favored, the growth in many sections
continuing throughout the winter with
sufficient covering when needed,
and an entire absence of dam
age from freezing and heaving. Brown
and bare spots are seldom met with,
growth and color being remarkably uni
form.
The Hessian fly, which was feared in
December in the central west, is yet in
allegiance, but the presence of the pest
is missed in many localities, and serious
injury might follow should the early
season prove favorable to its develop
ments. The general average for condi
tiOn is the highest reported for April
since 1882, and the individual state av-
erages are remarkable for their uni
formity. 1t is sixteen points higher
than last year and three above the re-
turns for 1869. A high April condition
does not insure large yield, but it in
dicates a strength and vitality which
would enable the plant to withstand
more than the ordinary vicissitudes Of
the season. The nearest approach
to the present condition during recent
years was in 1884, when the largest
crop ever grown was harvested, but
a similar high condition in 1886 was
followed by crop of little more than
average proportions.
The agerages Of condition in the prin-
cipal states are: New York. 90; Penn
sylvania, 81; Tennessee, SO; Kentucky,
81; Ohio, %; Michigan, SO; Indiana, 80;
Illinois, 81; Missouri, 96; Kansas. SO;
California, 80: Oregon, 81.
The returns make the percentages of
losses among farm animals during the
past year Of-hOrses II, cattle 3, sheep
and swine S.4. Horses receive better
care than any other class of stock, and
annual losses vary but little. The per-
centage of losses of cattle is slightly
higher than was reported in 1888 and
1889, the scarcity of seed swelling the
figures in portions of Kansas and Ne
braska. The losses of sheep have been
smaller than usual on account of better
care and attention, while less disease
than usual is reported among swine.
though there is heavy loss in the re-
gions OF last years crop failures.