People's voice., 1893-04-14
KANSAS CROPS.
The March Report of Secretary Mohler
Not Very Flattering to Wheat Prospects
Condition of Other Crops.

the board indicate the following as the
agricultural conditions of Kansas
March 81:
Wheat-The state as a whole ever
since seeding time last fall has had un-
favorable weather conditions for the
development of the wheat plant There
have been exceptions to this in some
sections of the state, chiefly in the east
ern and southern counties
The abundant rainfalls of year ago,
which extended into midsummer, were
followed in the fall by dry weather,
and correspondents, with some excep.
tions, mostly in the eastern and south
ern counties, report that the soil last
fall was in poor condition for the ger
mination and growth of wheat. This
condition was continued, especially in
the central and western belts of the
state, during the winter and up to the
date of this report, and the result is
that the wheat plant in a general way
is not in a promising condition at this
time.
Many of our correspondents say that
it is yet too early to report definitely
what percentage of the area sown TO
wheat will be entirely lost or even to
report the actual condition Of wheat
where it is not vet above ground.
The following is, however, the sum-
mary of reports as returned. Eastern
belt, destroyed, 1S per cent; western
belt, destroyed 8 per cent; for the en-
tire state, destroyed IA per cent In
the eastern belt the remaining area is
reported 50 per cent of an average con.
dition; in the central belt "a per cent;
in the western belt 62 per cent The
condition for the state as compared
with full average, "A per cent
The best wheat conditions for the
most part are in southeastern and
southern counties. The northern coun-
ties of the eastern belt are in the worst
condition. Brown county reports 70
per cent winter-killed, Atchison county
90 per cent, Geary and Marshall
each 40 per cent Wheat sown in
September on ground plowed early is
as a rule in the best condition in all
portions of the state and wheat on bot
tom lands is reported in better condi-
tion than on uplandS Correspondents
report the area sown to wheat last fall
in central and eastern belt practically
the same as the year before In the
western belt an increased area is re.
ported of 10 per cent
In this belt the wheat was sown
quite late, most of it in November and
some later, and but small proportion
had yet made its appearance above
ground, and much has not yet sprouted.
A large proportion Of the central belt
is in much the same condition, but cor
respondents say that there is still suffi-
cient vitality in the plant to promise a
fair crop if rains come in time.
Notwithstanding the dry weather the
wheat plant is reported practically free
from all kinds of noxious insects No
Hessian fly or chinch bugs worthy no
tice reported
Rye-The general condition of rye
for the state, as compared with full av.
erage, is n per cent
Live stock-The winter, on the whole,
was favorable for wintering stock.
While much of the time it was cold,
yet it was dry and, feed being abund-
ant, stock of all kinds passed
through the winter in full average
condition. With the exception of the
usual cases of distemper, horses
are reported free from disease.
Cattle are also reported in healthy con-
dition with no disease prevailing.
Some counties report hog cholera, but
not serious. In most cases cholera was
introduced by infected hogs being
shipped into Kansas.
Tame grasses-Clover in some of the
eastern counties is reported frozen out,
but generally throughout the state ali
grasses are in good condition.
Fruit-In some portions of the state
peaches are reported killed, while
other fruit buds seem TO be in good con
dition. The season is reported back
ward, there being much cold weather
in March.
Oats sowing progressed and was gen.
orally completed in March. In the
southern counties some corn was
planted. The soil in the eastern belt is
in good condition for spring crops
Also in large portion of the central
belt Further west, while conditions
are drier, the soil in most places is ir
fair condition for plowing. Spring
rains, however, which usually come ir
April, If not before, are necessary t
cta ~ n1ant life into vioorouc oroufh