Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-08-04
WEALTH In GRAIN
How the Elevator Men Estimate
the Size of the Coming
Wheat Crop.
In Minnesota and South Dakota
Everything Seems Favor
able.

| Sr. PAuI, Mimi, Special, Aug. L.
The Northwestern crop situation is an
interesting and anxious study these days.
The Minneapolis grain and elevator men
are the interested ones above all others
next to the producers themselves. and :hey
| are using their facilities Tor finding gu, the
actual condition of things in their respec-
tive territories to the fullest possible adj.
vantage. The elevator companies are ma
tuEally interested III the situation as a
whole, but particularly the field OF their
own business operations.
There hasn't been a week since their seed
was planted that the various companies
have not received through unusually
reliable sources compile. and detailed
Information OF the crop situation in their
respective districts. AS the time tor the
harvest approaches the companie. are
keeping an even closer tab on crop matters
The next two weeks will be anxious weeks
'o' all concerned and II SAFELY passed, the
general opinion of the experis j. that the
Northwest is assured of u bountiful crop
As ar as Minnesota and South Dakota are
concerned this is already as good as as
sured. The concensus OF all the reports
received the past lew days is tina, barring
hail and some other unusual disturbances
o! tie elements, this state anu South
Dakota will market
MORE THAN AVERAGE CROP
indeed, from the act oil the increased acre
age in these TWO states the companies opera
ting elevators in them arelookiug tor an ag.
greGate in bushels equal to that o last wear.
and from their lresen. knowledge OF the
situation will be appointed ii it does not
nateriaize.
What is true of these two states can also
be said o some portions of y orth Dakota.
Tint state, however. has been all along and
IS now The chief source OF anxiety 10 the
grain men. They look tor a very material
reduction over the returns OF last wears
harvest In the first place, unlike the con-
ditions in the other two states, there i.
decreased reduction in acreage owing 10 the
late spring and the inability OF the farmers
TO either p!ow all their land
last TALL or SOW it this
spring The backward season. necessita,-
ing unusually late sowing. the long con.
unued rains retarc!in:; the growth of the
grain ard stimulating the growth o the
weeds. the drowning out so much gram,
and other kindred Influences have all
worked 10 give the farmers of North Da-
koia, and particularly those OF the famous
Red river valley, what IS known IN sport
ing circles as the worst o!ith IN addi-
ton to these depressing features Is the act
that the season is July two weeks behind
last year, which adds the additional actor,
and an important one i. is, too, Of danger
:som frost. The first damaging .ros. last
year wss Aug. II. Ifit holds oil even
week later this year, which Is expecting
good deal, the damage to grain in tina. Sec
ton cannot fail 10 be great. Whiieit
NAY NOT AFFECT THE QUANTITY
otthe yield very materially i. as,uredlY
VIII the quality. In Minnesota and South
Dakota the harvest will be fully two weeks
behind last years, but the fros, is no.
counted on TO cut any figure in the returns.
either As 10 quality or quantity. The ele-
vator companies dong business in North
Dakota viii be satisfied with yield .or
that state equal TO 80 per cen, OF last years.
In The other two states from the fact OF the
10 o! 20 per cent increased acreage and the
generally promising outlook at the present
writing they are looking Tor yieid very
nearly or quite equal TO last years phe-
nomenal returns.
This Is the situation in general as gath
cred from tour among the grain men and
representatives OF the elevator companies.
Now q littie'n detail! rom the representa-
tiyes oil the various srea. whea. sections.
The Van pu,en Elevator company crosses
the belt drained by TIE Winona & ST. Peter
III Minnesota and the Central Da-
kota road iii South Dakota. They are good
ana thrifty farmers i'll these districts and as
a general thing have a habit o: growing
pretty good crops. The companies agents
report the crops as looking we'll fully up
to the average, and as the acreage OF these
two sections is 20 per cent greater than that
OF last year the company is preparing TO re-
celye just as much wheat as it did last wear.
The harvest will be bout ten days late.
The Peavey elevators occul% the field
along the Minneapolis & St. Louis and
Omaha roads, favored section as lar as
reliable crops are concerned. kilograms
have Just been received from All agent who
is sizing up the situation along the ST. Louis
road. giving the gratifying impression that
the CROPS were looking finely and the pros
poets tor a large !eld nlost excellent. Re-
ports from points along the Omaha are
equally reassuring. The company expects
to handle FULLY as much grain Us it did last
year. In these sections also there is an in
creased acreage
Nj. Cardin, OF the Northern Pacific E!e.
vator company, spoke 10 company.
but in no very extravageat praise o. the
situation along that lina. The wheat is
ate, he says, and in too III ny instances
very weedy. All the stubble soAn wheat
IS in :: bad way from weeds and general de-
oiiity. and the outlook is not very p~o;..is-
ng. He will know more OF the PRESENT
ituation, however, When he gels his |
weekly reports, ~hlcll are due to- morrow, |
Between weeds, rain and frost he !ear, this !
amous wheat producing section Of the /
country is not going to give very salts.
actory account of itself this year. M. |
ports ar undeniably builsh, and 10 get at |
he actual situation in each district 10 make |
proper allowances Tor the local enthusiasm
II the agents.