Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-05-12
CROPS IN KANSAS.
Report Of the Secretary of the State Board
of Agriculture.

Report Of the Secretary of the State Board
of Agriculture.
TOPEKA, Kan, May 6.-The following
crop report was issued yesterday by
Secretary Mohler of the state board OF
agriculture:
The conditions throughout the state for the
month Of April as reported by the correspond
ents of this board, while unfayorable to the
prosecution Of farm work and to the rapid de-
velopment OF plant life, are nevertheless en-
couragtng. The soil throughout the entire state
is in most excellent condition for rapid grow tn
Of all kinds of Vegetation soon as warm
weather comes The frequent and excessive
winds throughout the state greatly delayed oat
sowing and corn planting and the low tempera-
ture prevailing during the month and almost
continually cloudy skies have all combined to
produce a late backward season, indicating
late harvest
While conditions were unfavorable to the rap
Id growth of winter wheat the cool, wet wealth
er which prevailed during the month strength
ened the roots of the plant and greatly pro-
NOTED stooling. SO that our correspondents re-
port an improved condition of three points over
a month ago In each Of the three belts OF
Kansas improved condition OF the plant Is re-
ported In the eastern belt the condition is re-
ported at 20 per cent: in the central belt at "
per cent, and In the western belt at 90 per
cent The condition of wheat for the state Is
raised from So to So per cent
The acreage sown to spring wheat this season
as compared with that sown in the spring OF
1891 is reported by the correspondents at 90 per
cent increase, or an increase Of 1876 acres,
year Of 1877. 496 acres The condition for the
state is reported at % per cent
Notwithstanding the continued wet weather
the area sown to oats this year, our correspond
ents report, is about the same as that sown a
year ago Corn planting has been much de-
layed by wet weather. In the southern coun-
ties Of the state from 20 to 90 per cent. OF the
area to be planted to corn is reported planted
April 30. In the eastern belt 40 per cent is re-
sorted planted In the central belt 80 per cent
and in the western % per cent
Summary-The winter wheat condition COM
pared with the average, 50 per cent; spring
wheat, 90 per cent; rye 81 per cent; tame
grasses, 90 per cent; prairie grass, 81 per cent;
fruit, SO per cent
Hessian fly is reported in early sown wheat
in the following counties; Riley, Geary, Bar
ton Dickinson. Ellsworth Harper, kingman.
Lincoln, Mcpherson, Ottawa, Rush, Saline
Sedgwick. Stafford and Sumner.
While these counties report Hessian fly, yet
up to date but little damage is reported A few
wheat fields in the central belt are reported
| turning yellow. but the cause seems to be un
known Some new insects are reported in diff
ferent portions of the state. but yet they arc
doing no damage. The wheat straw worm
which appeared last year and which it was
claimed did considerable damage il some local.
ties, is reported in some counties in centra
Kansas quite numerous, having harbored il
| the straw stacks of last year. Many farmers
| when the worm was discovered, took the pre-
caution to burn the straw. Chinch bugs are re
| ported very scarce except in few counties
II weather conditions continue to be favora
| Bile no one anticipates any serious damage from
! noxious insects of any kind
| While the continued and in some cases exces
| sive rainfall during April and the low tempera
ture prevailing has greatly retarded farm worl
| and plant growth, yet the subSon of Kansas
| throughout every portion has an unusua
| amount of moisture stored away to be draw
| upon during period of any procrast inated pre-
| cipitation which is liable to occur, and the con
| ditions generally throughout the state have
| never been more favorable at this date for al
| abundant harvest III every portion of the state