Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-04-13
Michigan Crop Report

Michigan Crop Report
March was remarkable for high tenn
perature and moderate amount of
precipitation. Reports are not yet at
hand from all stations IA the State, but
at the State Board of Health station at
Lansing, the records show it to have
been the warmest March in sixteen
years. The mean temperature of the
month was 10. 4S degrees, or 9 degrees
above the normal. The mean tempera-
ture Of the first twenty-four days was
about Al 50 degrees, or ID degrees
above the normal. The highest tenn
perature recorded was "a degrees on
the 18Th. A cold wave passed over the
State on the 25th, and the weather from
that date 10 the end of the month was
severely cold. The mean temperature
of the last week of the month was below
% degrees On the 25th the tempera
ture dropped to 10 degrees. This was
the lowest point touched during the
month.
Since April the temperature has
gone below the freezing point on all
except two days On the lst it dropped
to u degrees. on the I'd to 22d, and on
the nights of the 9TH and 9Th to 25th.
This morning. April 9th, there is a
strong, cold wind from the east.
The average precipitation in March
was / 26 inches. Three inches of snow
fell on the 2Sth.
As usual wheat on the summit and
west side of hills, and on clay and un-
drained lands. has been somewhat in-
iured, but as whole the crop has
wintered well. The averages of the
estimates of correspondents are for the
southern counties. 80 per cent; central
counties. 81 per cent: northern counties,
81 per cent; and State, 80 per cent,
comparison being with average years.
Correspondents in their remarks report
the crop in good condition, much better
condition than usual AT the "ud of an
"open" March. In 1898 the average
condition April LIST, in the southern
counties was 81, central 81, State 81 in
1892, southern counties 80, central SO,
State 80; in 1891, southern 81. central
90, and State 90. The average condi-
ton this year. in the southern counties
is eight points better, and in the State
six points better than on April st, 1913.
The total number of bushels Of wheat
reported marketed by farmers IN March
is 1880 and in the eight months,
August-March. IL, 423, $50, which is
106.674 bushels less than reported
marketed in the same months last year.
At ~ elevators aLd mills from which
reports have been received, there was
no wheat marketed duiing the month.
The average condition of clover
meadows and pastures is as follows:
Southern counties 20 per cent, central
81, northern 95 and State 80 per cent.
Farm animals are IN good condition.
During the warm weather that pre-
vailed previous to the 25th of March
fruit buds developed TO some consider
able extent, and grave fears were felt
that the cold wave of that date would
work great harm If not ruin 10 the crop.
A large number of letters, which will
be published in full in the final report.
have been received from fruit special
lists since April lst, but at the time they
were written the growers themselves
were not entirely satisfied as to the
amount of damage. The Grand River
Valley Horticultural Society, March ~,
believed no harm had been done, but
one of its members a few days later
found pears and peaches baldy injured.
Ionia growers think their crop injured
but trifle. A st. Joseph correspondent
thinks peaches all killed. At South
Haven a fair crop of all kinds of fruit
is expected. In Washtenaw peach buds
had ''started to bloom" in some cases
showing color. All such on low ground
are killed. while those on higher
ground are not injured. Apple and
other fruits on high lands have escaped.
A fair conclusion from these letters
is that the early and tender varieties of
fruit, especially peaches and pears,
have been injured. but the later and
harder kinds are yet safe. This is
particularly true of apples. There is no
reason why full crop of this fruit
should not be expected,
WASHINGTON GARDNER,
Secretary of State.