Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1896-07-16
SITUATION SERIOUS.
Wheat Crop Of State Injured
by Rust to Alarming
Extent.
Flowing Under Of Wheat
Fields Begun. Red Rust
Described.

The state crop bulletin does not indi-
cate promising outlook for tho North
Dakota wheat crop. In some parts Of
the Red river valley, especially IN Cas-
county, wheat fields have been plowsd
under and moro plowing 10 contemplated
In tho James river valley the gram 10
looking much better though rust 10
reported at Sykeston % slowly oonsum-
ing the wheat. At Montpelier the wheat
is rusting and the outlook 10 not very
promising. At Lemert-Foster county
tho wheat is badly damaged by rust
also.
The situation throughout the state is
more serious than Is generally realized.
The lightest crop the Red river valley
has ever had is looked for. Trail coun-
ty, that will probably average better
than any other vslley county, is not ex-
pected to yield halt crop under the
most favorable conditions plenty OF
rain and proper weather conditions.
The hail insurance companies are
among the first to feel the effect Of
prospective poor crops. The crop now
is IN such q condition that farmers do
not know whether or not they will have
anything worth carrying insurance on.
And, OF course, for that reason. the busi-
ness is falling of. The frst sign Of this
condition was noticed two weeks ago
when the applications began to fall OF.
A few applications are coming in now
and more are promised should the pros
pect improve, but until then every ono
10 holding Oh.
Spring plowinR 10 anything but sue
cess this year and thoussnds Of acres Of
grain will undoubtedly be plowed up.
In the northeast part Of tho state very
little fall blowing was done, excessive
spring rains prevented early work and
naturally there 10 whore the greatest
losses will occur. Spring plowing will
not stand drouth.
The westher conditions last week con
tinued about the same - the week
previous, ssys the bulletin the
hot sun and lack Of rain
injur1ously affecting the wheat crop, and
advancing rust to % alarming extent.
Toward tho middle OF the week light
showers occurred in portions Of the Red
river valley, but were not heavy enough
70 be OF msterla benefit. The week
closed with medium heavy rain over
nearly oil sections OF tho state sunday
night which, while being OF benent 70
most crops, 10 too late to make much
improvement in the wheat. % tho hot
westher hss caused it to rust % badly
that some fields are reported - not
beinR worth cutting. others are OF thin
growth and stunted beads and . very
poor crop 10 expected w1th sne most
favorable weather. The late sown wheat
has suffered the most being OF tender
growth when tho dry westhsr set IN. The
rust and drouth stunted i Co. that II 70
very thin and 10 heading out poorly.
The early sown grain wss tor enough
advanced to better Withstand tho dry
westher and, with . continuance OF
favorable westher from now on, fair
crop will be secured in most sections.
DR.. Luger OF the Minnesots expert
mental station. recently returned from
the northwest, whore hs found . great
deal Of red rust on whest. Plants less
than six inches high are covered with 1t.
There 10 not much hope tor improve
ment unless there 10 RAINY season. A
series Of rains would wash the rust
spores of the wheat, and once on the
ground they are lost, that 10 - far a.
distribution is concerned, for they ad-
here there and grow. DR.. Luger admits
there is no known remedy with which to
combat the work OF the parasite success.