River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-09-24
Wisconsin weather-Crop Bulletin.


MILWAUKEE, Sept. -, 1896
The weather of the week just closed
has been characterized by abundant
and well-distributed rains, extending
to all portions of the State. Cloudy
and threatening weather with more
or less rain on nearly every day was
the principal feature, and while for a
greater portion of the State the rain
fall was not excessive, in the southern
counties the total for the week will
average nearly five inches. The rains
have been of the greatest possible
benefit and some correspondents state
that the soil is now better supplied
with moisture than at any previous
time during the past three years
The subsoil, however, still remains
dry, and it will require a long period
of increased rainfall TO cause it to
attain 70 its normal condition with
respect to moisture. The continued
cloudy and damp weather has, how
ever, caused corn in the shock to
mould to some extent but the damage
from this cause is neither general nor
extensive. Farming operations have
been delayed by the wet weather, but
nearly al corn is now in the shock and
fall seeding Is well under way The
growing season was practically closed
on Sunday morning by killing frosts
throughout the northern and central
portions of thea state, while heavy
frosts occurred in exposed places in
the southern section Full reports on
the effect of these frosts have not yet
been received, but sufficient have
come in to justify the statement that,
taking the state as whole, the dam
age has been comparatively slight.
In the north-central portion of the
state this frost is fully five days later
than the average date of the first
killing frost in autumn, and in the
central and southern sections it is not
in advance Of the average. As corn
has been fully ten days in advance of
the average condition during the en-
tire season, the crop as whole can be
said to lave been fully matured, ex-
cept in a few special cases where
planting was greatly delayed or re-
planting necessary.
Corn is an exceptionally heavy crop
and all observers unite in the opinion
that it will fully equal if not exceed
the crop of last year.
The very favorable conditions under
which fall seeding is being carried on
during the present season are quite
marked, especially when compared
with those which prevailed during the
fall of 1895. During the present sea-
son there has been an abundance of
rainfall to place the soil in excellent
condition for working, as well as to
insure the full termination of the
seed and to give the plant a good start.
Some fields of early sown grain have
already attained good stand and APP
pear fresh and green. Pastures have
taken on new life and fall pasture is
reported in excellent condition. Buck
wheat is generally matured but the
crop is only fair, owing to dry weather
and light frost during the latter part
of August.
Threshing continues in some locali
ties but will be generally completed
during the present week. Oats and
barley are turning out as well as was
expected when the crops were cut. 1t
appears that the extremely rank
growth of the straw in some way in
terfered with the process of heading
and grain is not well filled. Potatoes
are being dug but the crop is an infe-
rior one, ard there will be barely suffi-
Gent in some sections for home con-
sumption.
NoTI3: As this bulletin will close the
season of 1896, we take this occasion
to thank our correspondents for their
prompt and efficient service.
w. NJ. WILSON,
Section Director.