Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-14
RAIN FALLS AT LAST,
SHOWERS GIVE ENCOURAGE.
MENT TO FARMERS.
Nine Parcicd Western States Are
Well Sprinklcd 100 How the Crops
Will BE Affected Ia Uncertain, but
Good Pasturawc IL Assured.
Baked Soil 10 Soaked.

The first signs of promise il, many
weeks appea red to the farmers Sunday
throughout the Western States. A gen
@ral opening Of the clouds moistened the
marched earth just enough to awaken the
belief that Providence still reiYns, and
that the end IT the almost unprecedented
drought is 1T hand. In nine Of the dozen
or more States afflicted by the blightiny
dryness showers fell with gentle force
sufficient to soften the hard crust that
has been baking for weeks on the fields
and prairies.
A hymn Of thanksgiving mingled with
the falling OF the rain in hundreds OF
localities. Countless numbers Of farmers
hailed the showers that visited their acres
se,lLeir salvation from heavy misfortune
E1r days and days they have been wait
;ug for favorable time to put in their
winter wheat. Such ground as would
permit blowing ut all was so dry that
clouds of dust followed the plows across
the fields. The fields that had been plant
ed early in the beginning OF the drought
with winter wheat promised nothing for
lack Of water on the tender sprouts. 1t
Is now believed that much Of the ground
can be put in cultivation in time, taking
it for granted That the drought is broken.
Reports received from the Government
signal service show that rain has fallen
very generally in Colorado, Nebraska,
Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wis
consin, Upper Michigan and Illinois.
The visitation in Nebraska is the first
rain of any consequence that has fallen
for six weeks. Suffering Kansas got her
first wetting in two months Sunday after
room. Iowa received her share of rain
at the same time.
In its effect upon the future crops the
damage wrought by the drought cannot be
estimated for many days, in the opinion of
experienced observers. On regular cult
waited soil, grain men declare. the con-
tracted wheat area merely means larger
corn acreage next year, but this does not
apply to the vast acres Of prairie ground
that have never been touched by a pillow.
Much Of this virgin prairie sod was to
have been turned over this fall in Ne.
braska and Kansas, but the drought has
made it necessary for this work to be left
over To make such land available for
next years use it must be plowed in the
fall and left to the elements until the mex t
spring. 1t ia too late now for such work
TO be carried out to completion.
One consola ton has been found in the
drought by the stock growers. while the
farmer has found nothing TO compensate
him for the loss Of his winter wheat pros
pect. The cattlcmen declare the pros
poets for abundant and fine grazing on
the ranges have not been so good in years.
The grass has been extremely well cured
by the protracted dry weather, and this
fact is encouraging to the mon who count
their wealth by the head. Their only anx-
iety has been To supply their cattle with
water sufficient to keep them alive. Now
that the rain has begun falling their cup
OF JOY is full, as they see the ponds and
creeks and wells once more available.