Semi-weekly independent., 1896-04-25
CROP PROSPECTS EXCELLENT.
Timely Rains aud Warm Weather En-
Courage the Farmers.

limely haIns ana W arm W eatner 1su-
courage the Farmers.
The Government reports aS % the con-
dition of the crops throughout the coun>
try. and the general effect Of thc wealth
er upon the cultivation. growth and hare
vest of the same. show that tlie 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 vcge-
iation. which has been remarkably rapid.
Winter wheat has shown marlcd inn
proVement generally and i reported aS
doing wei in Indiana. Illinois. Iowa. Kan
Sas and in portions of Missouri and.
while an Improvement has bcen noted in
Kentucky and West Virginia. The cndi-
tion of the crop in these StitrS is poor.
some having been p!owcd up. in see
tons of Missouri and TrxaS. winter
wheat seeding j well advanced n 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. anil in The
more southcrly sections planting has con-
tinucd with much activity Some corn
has been planted in Illinois and Nchras-
ka. and planting viii be begun IN Iowa
this week. Cotton planting ha> couin-
ued under favorable conditions and in
the central and southern portions of the
cotton region is coming up generally - 4
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 Soulhward. ana also in Texas. where
rain i needed to insure q stand ~ cotton.
The report hy States follows:
illinois, hot week. with showers at the
beginning and ending. has CAUSED 81 remark
aple adN"ic" IN all vegetation. Winter
wheat, rye and grasses are greatly improved
ana are doing finely: grasses afford pas.nr-
age. Oats are coming up: gardens and pota-
toes are planted: also some corn. but prep
laden with blossoms.
Wisconsin Warm weather and abundant
rainfall has heeE very Favorable for the rapid
advancement Of all crops Wheat j. greatly
improved. especially in localities where it
was thought 10 have been entirely winter
Killed. Oats are all Sown. and work well adj
Nanced in southern section. Little. plowing
has been done in the central and northern
sections.
South Dakota Seeding is about finished in
southeastern counties. with some wheat
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 i too
Wet and warmer and bright weather IS
needed.
Nebraska-A good growing week. bu, rain
and wet ground have retarded farm work
The seeding of small grain i about COM
pleted. except in the northwest Sertion Plnw-
for Is
ed. and this only in southern counties. Fruit
trees are blooming profusely. and generally
unlnJur'd 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 good stand Fruit promised full
crop. but WAS injured some by frost Of Sat
urday. Grass is supporting stock IN south
counties.
MssourI-The unusually warm weather
forced vegetation forward yery rapidly
Wheat is suffering for rain in some central
and southwestern counties. but elsewhere *
generally doing well. Corn planting is pro-
crossing favorably and cotton has began.
Pasturage good. Fruit prospects are excellent
Iowa-High temperature and abundant
moisture have pushed vegetation rapidly
ana the season iS ROW early as usual.
Grass and small grains are making a fine
stand; winter wheat generally promising.
il"wing for corn well advanced and plant
ing Will soon begin.
lhulaha W arm weather has rapidly i'm
proved all growing crops But few showers
fell and rain is much needed. Wheat. barley.
rye. clover and grass have advanced rapidly.
Oats nearly all Sown. Tobacco plants com
lng on well In switzerland County. Fruit is
In bloom. Flowing for corn continues
ohio-EXceSSiyely warm Sunshiny. 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.
apfics.-- cherries, pears. peaches ana plums
are blooming
Michigdn-A -Abnormaly high tc7s2e:as"ro
and plentiful showers have rapidly advanced
all vegetation and farm work. Winter wheat.
rye and grass are doing finely. Flowing and
Dat and grass seeding In progress. Early
potato planting has just begun