Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-10
FROM SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS.
A REVIEW OF THE PAST SEASON.

eastern Illinois. Its beginning was
promising and there were many cheering
outlooks from time to time, often follow
ed, however, by serious disappointment.
The wheat crop came through the
winter in good shape, and with favor
able weather conditions It's growth was
stocky and rapid. Until about the time
the first heads began to appear, there
was promise Of larger yield than We
have ever had. Presently an occasional
remark would be heard-wheat seems to
be going back. In few days the Sc
we're frost followed, rust aud fly were
found in many fields, and the chinch
bug put In an appearance. The final
result was q number OF fields not worth
cutting and Of the balance a yield OF ) to
10 bushels per acre. Very rarely field
could be found making over 20 bushels.
The frost came when, In the best de-
veloped portion Of the crop, the germ OF
the grain was just forming. This was
fatal; although the heads do not show
the full effects OF the severe cold for
some time sfterward, and many were
surprised when they came TO harvesting
to find where they had expected the
largest yield only empty heads. The
combined effect Of frost, rust, fly and
bugs Was low grade Of product, In
fact there was very rarely sample
found that would weigh GO pounds TO
the bushel, and only small proportion
that would grade No. 2.
Not long before harvest the wheat
market advanced sharply, and farmers
were congrstulating themselves that II
their crop WAS short they would get
nearly twice the price for IL. This pros
pect went glimmering into the mists
along with the early hopes OF great
crop.
The oat crop was fairly good, but this
Is not so important crop with US, and
is only grown for feed, aud then mainly
10 fill gaps in rotation.
The hay crop was short, clover fairly
good and timothy hardly half crop.
This rather scsnt supply Is, however,
being supplemented by larger saving
Of corn fodder, and this may, or at least
ought, TO teach our farmers an impor-
tsnt lesson.
Hogs fed early in summer were turned
of at satisfactory figures, and the out
look for continued good prices, together
with the splendid prospects Of the grow
ing corn crop, made a sharp demand for
stock hogs, OF which many were sold al
extravagant figures. Finished hogs are
now selling to shippers at 50 per
hundred.
Beef cattle in the early summer
brought good prices. and here again the
outlook Was SO promising that stock
cattle and feeders could be touched only
at extreme figures, and those who
bought for feeding are now anxiously
studying the possibilities OF saving the
cost Of stock and feed, without return
for time, labor or interest.
A few weeks before clover seed har-
vesting, dealers were anxious 10 contract
for il at s. per bushel. When the seed
Was ready for market, II strictly prime,
il sold at $3.50 per bushel. a few were
wise enough, or fortunate enough, TO ac-
cept the early prices.
The apple crop-which, by the way, Is
getting TO be quite an important item In
some parts OF this section-was very
large. But the trees were overloaded,
and many were broken and almost ruin
ed, while much OF the fruit was too
small TO command best prices, and with
no systematic provision for marketing,
the orchardists were largely ut the mercy
of the chance buyer and shipper. And
vet the returns will make an Interesting
item on the credit side in the footings
for the years work, In addition 10 which
fruit men have learned some valuable
lessons.
We have-not an enormous-but a
very good corn crop, unusually good on
the uplands. with the exception Of fields
adjoining wheat fields, where the chinch
bug was very destructive. On our bot
tom lands IL is the exception for the
crop 10 be otherwise than good, and
this Is making constantly increasing
demand for bottom corn lands. The
corn crop Is, however, not phenomenal
one, and very liberal estimate from
results In gathering would discount the
government aud other estimates very
considerably, and so far AS have been
able TO learn, this Is true OF the corn
crop OF the state.
Still, In summing up conditions for the
year, our farmers have made some head
way. Evidences In this direction are
had iu the improvements being made In
buildings, fences and the general ap-
pearauce Of the farm, and also in the in
creasing numbers Of our young people
going into our higher institutions oi
learning.
The conditions were favorable Tor
wheat seeding this fall, and as rule
planting was done in good shape; and
though the very dry weather Immediate
ly following seeding gave a very slow
growth to the plant, the recent rains
have started vigorous growth. With
little while longer Of growing weather,
it will go into the winter under very
favorable eonditions.-Country Gentle
man.