Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-30
CROP PROSPECTS EXCELLENT.
Timely Rains and Warm Weather En-
courage the Farmers.

courage the rarmeres
The Government reports as to the con-
dition Of the crops throughout the coun-
try, and the general effect OF the wealth
er upon the cultivation, growth and har-
vest Of the same, show that the unusually
warm weather throughout the central,
eastern and southern portions of the
country has rapidly advanced the sea-
son, which has been unusually back
ward, and has been very favorable for
farming operations and growth Of vege-
tation, which has been remarkably rapid.
Winter wheat has shown marked inn
provement generally and is reported as
doing well in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kan
sas and in portions of Missouri, and,
while an improvement has been noted in
Kentucky and West Virginia, the condi-
tion of the crop in these States is poor,
some having been plowed up. In sec
tions Of Missouri and Texas, winter
wheat seeding is well advanced in South
ern Minnesota and is about finished in
portions of Eastern South Dakota, where
| some Of the early sown is up. In North
Dakota no seeding has yet been done.
Preparations for corn planting have been
| pushed rapidly during the week, and in the
| more southerly sections planting has con-
| tinued with much activity. Some corn
| has been planted in Illinois and Nebras-
| ka, and planting will be begun in Iowa
| this week. Cotton planting has contin-
ued under favorable conditions, and in
the central and southern portions Of the
cotton region is coming up generally to
| good stand. termination, however, has
been slow, owing to the drought in some
sections Of the western portion Of the
cotton region. General rainfall would
prove Of much benefit from the Ohio Val
ley southwark, and also in Texas, where
rain Is needed to insure a stand Of cotton.
The report by States follows:
| Illinols-A hot week. with showers at the
beginning and ending, has caused a remark
able advance In all vegetation. Winter
| wheat, rye and grasses are greatly improved
and are doing finely; grasses afford pastur-
age. Oats are coming up; gardens and pota-
| toes are planted; also some corn but prep
aratlon OF corn land Is general. Fruits are
| laden with blossoms.
| Wisconsin-Warm weather and abundant
rainfall has been very favorable for the rapid
| advancement of all crops Wheat Is greatly
| improved, especially In localities where 1t
was thought TO have been entirely winter
killed. Oats are all sown, and work well ad-
| vanced In southern section. Little plowing
has been done in the central and northern
| sections.
South Dakota-Seedlng Is about finished In
|
above ground; elsewhere seeding has been
| retarded by heavy precipitation and cool
weather. No winter wheat sown. In the
central and northern portions the soil Is too
| wet, and warmer and bright weather Is
needed.
Nebraska-A good growing week, but rain
and wet ground have retarded farm work.
The seeding of small grain Is about COM
pleted, except In the northwest section Plow-
Ing for corn is progressing; very little plant
ed, and this only In southern counties. Fruit
trees are blooming profusely, and generally
uninjured by frost of Saturday.
Kansas-A warm, rainy week, which great.
ly improved all crop conditions Wheat
much Improved and growing rapidly. Corn
| coming up In central and southern counties
and is a good stand. Fruit promised a full
crop, but was injured some by frost of Sat
urday. Grass Is supporting stock In south
| counties.
Missouri-The unusually warm weather
forced vegetation forward very rapidly
Wheat Is suffering for rain In some central
| and southwestern counties, but elsewhere Is
generally doing well. Corn planting is pro
crossing favorably and cotton has begun
Pasturage good. Fruit prospects are excellent
Iowa-High temperature and abundant
moisture have pushed vegetation rapidly
and the season is now as early as usual
Grass and small grains are making fine
stand; winter wheat generally promising
| Flowing for corn well advanced and plant
ing will soon begin.
Indiana-warm weather has rapidly i'm
proved all growing crops. But few showers
| Iell ana RAIN IL nucn needed. Wnedt DaEley
rye clover and grass have advanced rapidly
Oats nearly all sown. Tobacco plants com
ing on well In Switzerland County. Fruit Is
I'm bloom. Flowing for corn continues.
| Ohio-Excessyely warm, sunshlny, windy
and dry week, except In northern portion
| where rainfall was about normal. Conditions
were very favorable for plowing and plant
Ing. All vegetation Is improved. Apples
aprieots cherries, pears, peaches and plums
are blooming.
Michigan-Abnormally high temperature
and plentiful showers have rapidly advanced
all vegetation and farm work Winter wheat
rye and grass are doing finely. Flowing and
oat and grass seeding in progress. Early
| potato planting has Just begun.