The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-06
KANSAS CROP REPORTS.
Secretary MOhlers Monthly Review of the
Agricultural Outlook.

TOPEKA, Kan, May 5.-The following
crop report was issued today by Secretary
| Mohler of the state board of agriculture:
1.-The conditions throughout the month
of April, as reported by the correspondents
of this board, while unfavorable to the
prosecution of farm work and to the rapid
| development of plant life are nevertheless
encouraging. The soil throughout the
entire state is in most excellent condi-
tion for the rapid growth of all kinds of
vegetation as soon as warm weather
comes The frequent and excessive rains
throughout the state have greatly delayed
oat sowing and corn planting, and the low
temperature prevailing during the month
| and the almost continually cloudy skies
have all combined to produce late and
backward season, indicating late har-
| vest.
While the conditions were unfavorable
| to the rapid growth of winter wheat, the
cool wet weather which prevailed during
the month strengthened the roots of the
plant and greatly prevented stooling, so
that our correspondents report an i'm
proved condition of three points over the
previous month. In each of the three belts
of Kansas an improved condition of the
plant is reported. In the eastern belt the
condition is reported 20 per cent; in the
central belt at SO per cent, and in the
western belt at 9S per cent. The condition
of wheat for the state is raised from IS 10
IS per cent. The acreage sown to spring
wheat this season. as compared with that
sown in the spring OF 1891, is reported by
our correspondents at 80 per cent. increase,
or an increase of 45 $40 acres, which makes
total spring wheat area for this year of
1872, ,496 acres The condition for the state
is reported at 81 per cent.
Notwithstanding the continued wet
weather, the area of oats sown this year,
aOrracn0ndantc ullOnt tho
as that sown year ago.
Corn planting has been much delayed
by wet weather In the southern counties
of the state from 20 to 30 per cent. of the
area to ne planted to corn is reported as
planted on April 80. In the eastern belt
40 per cent. is reported planted; in the CEN
tral belt, 80 per cent, and in the western
% per cent.
''SUMMARY-Winter wheat: Condition,
compared with an average, SO per cent;
spring wheat, 92 per cent; rye, 81 per
cent; tame grasses, 90 per cent; prairie
grasses, 81 per cent; fruit, SO per cent.
"The Hessian fly is reported in early
sown wheat in the following counties:
Riley. Geary, Barton, Dickinson. Els
worth, Harper, Kingman, Lincoln, Nc
Pherson, Ottawa, Rush, Saline, Sedgwick,
Stafford and Sumner While these coun-
ties report the Hessian fly, yet, up to date,
but little damage is reported. A few
wheat nelds IN the central belt are re-
ported as turning yellow, but the cause
seems to be unknown. Some new in
sects are reported in different por-
tionS of the state, but, as yet,
are doing no damage. The wheat
straw worm which appeared last year,
aud which, it was claimed, did considera-
BILE damage in some localities, is reported
in some counties in Central Kansas as
quite numerous, having been harbored in
the straw stacks of last year. Many
farmers when the WORN was discovered
took the precaution to b lrn the straw.
Chinch bugs are reported very scarce, ex-
cept in few counties Ii the weather
conditions continue to he favorable, no
one anticipates any Sc! ioas damage from
noXious insects OF any kind.
The weather and soil conditions,
while they continued, and, in some cases,
excessive rainfall during April and the
low temperature prevailing. have greatly
retarded farm work and plant growing
Yet the subsoil of Kansas throughout
every portion has an unusual amount of
moisture stored away, to be drawn upon
during period of 'procrastinated precipi-
tation, which is liable to occur, and the
conditions generally throughout the state
have never been more favorable at this
date for an abundant harvest in every por-
tion OF the state"