The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-06-29

the strength and enthusiasm OF popul-
ism in the county, shows the cause TO
be in an unsatisfactory condition. During
the three days but one fairly respectable
gathering was had and that was ON Sat.
urday afternoon. Notwithstanding the
large crowd attracted to town by the cir
Gus on Thursday, the meetings were but
slimly attended, the one in the evening
at the opera house drawing by actual
count but forty voters, including demo-
Gratis and republicans, and this while the
candidate for governor. Issac Howe, and
the national alliance lecturer Willitts
were billed to speak. To the credit of
the several speakers be 1t said they in
dulged in less Of the wild, revolutionary
talk that has distinguished many of the
populst orators who have been here in
the past. The industrial encampment"
wss notable for nothing more than its
inability to attract the people.
The recent severe drouth through
which Grant county with the rest OF the
state and in fact the whole northwest
has just passed, concluslvely demon
strates the advantages to be derived from
mixed farming and the necessity tor a
speedy abandonment of the policy of
relying solely upon wheat raising.
While the drouth has been unprecedent-
ed, aud may not occur again ia years,
the favorable growth made by corn, flax
and potatoes notwithstanding the dry
weather, proves very conclusively that
the wheat crop is the first and greatest
sufferer from the drouth. Another OBJ
serva,ion made is that wheat on corn land
has stood the drouth IN remarkable
manner. while that on fields adjoining
was dried up long before any effect was
noticeable on the corn land. showing the
benefcent effects of cultivation of the
land the year before. That SO manv of
the farmers Of Grant county are not en-
tirely dependent on their wheat crop
will prove of incalcuable benefit to them
this year. for while in many places this
crop has not been seriously hurt there
are other localities where the grain has
been very materially injured, and where
but partial crop will be harvested.
Following the rains OF last week,
which ere very light in this immediate
vicinity but were OF more benefit in other
localities near by. came a refreshing
shower Monday evening and a good soak
ing down-pour on Tuesday night which
gave the parched earth what it had been
so long in need of. These rains have
added greatly to the crop prospects, Civ.
ing new lite anu yigor to many fields OF
small grain that seemed beyond hope OF
revival, and being of lncalculable benefit
to late soWn grain, corn, potatoes, flax
and vegetables. Monday nights rain
was accompanied by hail which did con.
siderable damage in Melrose township
intlicting considerable damage upon
John Martens, Chas. Fonder, Henry
Martens, F. Norstagen, J. 1illman, A.
Jurgens and others Just how far the
hail extended we have not learned. but
we understand that in the vicinity Of
Marietta. MINI, the hailstorm was very
| destructive.
Again on Wednesday night heavy
soaking rain fell, filing the earth with
all needed moisture. These rains go to
wards insuring an excellent crop in {
number of localities IN the county, anC
greatly improving the conditions where
the drought had seemingly worked If
retrievable injury. Taking the good anc
the bad portions together with favorable
weather when the grain is filling and ,
fair average crop of wheat will be har
vested in the county, while the prospects
for corn and flax were never more promis
ing.