The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-26
TO GROWING CROPS IS NOT BE-
LIEVED TO BE VERY
SERIOUS.
RED RIVER VALLEY FLOODS
LEAVE CERTAIN LOCALITIES IN A
PROBLEMATICAL CONDITION,
BUT IN THE MAIN
NORTHERN PACIFIC REPORTS
Show That the Precipitation Has
Done More Benefit Than Injury
to the Crops.

While the recent rains have affected
the crop prospects to some little dis
advantage. the general tenor of the
reports to the general freight depart
ment of the Northern Pacific has been
that the damage is not material. A
summary of the reports for the week
ending yesterday is as follows:
Minnesota Division-The injury done to
grain by the heavy rains this week is very
slight generally. Not more than half dozen
reports indicate that the rain has been eX-
cessive, being that it was followed up by cool
weather and enough wind to prevent rust;
and heavy crop seems practically assured
now. The rain was most injurious around Au-
dubon and Lake Park, where it lodged con-
siderable grain, spelling it to the extent of
10 per cent; much of it. however, will recover
during the prevailing fine weather. Between
Glyndon and Moorhead great many fields
NAUTICAL until next week. The most serious
effects will be to the hay crop over the entire
division; it is impossible to cut any on the
bottoms and farmers are obliged to content
Rye harvest Is progressing south of Wadena
the yield will not be heavy. Corn and pota-
toes are doing splendidly except on land which
is too wet to cultivate.
Little Falls & Dakota Branch-Reports all
show that croOs remain in a very satisfactory
condition; the two days almost steady rain
will be too wet TO cut till after harvest. Most
of the rye is cut and in shock east of Sank
Center. Wheat and oats are filling nicely
the present cool weather being very helpful
Farmers feel in good humor over the pros
poets and prevailing good prices.
Fergus Falls Branch-Copious rains have
fallen this week, which appear on the whole
to have benefited crops in Otter Tail county
especially as cool weather followed; wheat
is filling out well and in a few days will be
out of danger from rust; some early fields
T. hn Gr.f uraaIx tn AY1.r, ,ef
but harvest will commence generally from
the 10th to 18th. In the country between
breckenridge and Fairview a large amount
OF grain is flooded the percentage of injury
depending entirely on the weather the next
few days; at present it is favorable. Hessan
flies have appeared in the vicinity of Wynd-
mere and Minor in many. fields
Manitoba Division South of Boundary-On
the whole this portion of the Red river val
ley escaped with comparatively little damage
resulting from the heavy rains this week; a
great deal of the grain on low land was sub
merged, but fortunately the right kind of
weather has prevailed since the rain and the
water is draining off rapidly, leaving, the
grain but little the worse for it's soaking;
considerable of the heavy grain on higher
land was knocked down by the elements, but
1t is fast Strengthening up again. If hot
weather had followed instead of cool the re-
suit would have been serious The extent Of
injury done cannot be determined for another
week at least, and all will depend on the
weather. Farmers generally are still hope
full Of obtaining fair to good crops in differ
ent sections as outlined in last report. Out
side reports already circulated represent the
general situation in the Red River valley to
be much worse than the facts warrant.
In Manitoba-An abundance of rain has
fallen all through the province, doing an i'm
mense amount of good; at only two points,
st. Jean and Morris, are there any complaints
OF there being more than is good for grain
and no harm is likely to result here. Wheat
is all headed and presents fine appearance
there is enough moisture now-~to. last till
harvest and with no unusual conditions moth
ing short of good crop will be obtained.
Dakota Division-Between Fargo and Cas-
SETON the excessive rainfall this week has
proved very unfavorable to crops; it is esti-
mated the damage will amount to 10 to Is per
cent. which added to the injury done by pre-
vious rains will depreciate the average weld
in this vicinity fully % per cent; a good many
farmers fear they will be unable to harvest
grain on low lands at all on account of its
soft condition. Around Wheat!and the stu
alton is little better. From Buffalo to
jamestown grain was lodged more than
flooded, but with continued favorable weather
little harm will result; wheat is very heavy
along here and has large heads and filing
We'll westward to Bismarck the rain was
blessing as just previously two very hot days
Saturday and Sunday, threatened to scorch
grain badly; there will be some shrinkage
from this cause, but not much; weather at
present cool. The hay crop will be short, as
much of it cannot be cut
Fargo & Southwestern Branch-Around
Horace and Davenport there has been too
much rain for the general good of crops. At
this time 1t is impossible to say what the
injury will amount to. as it will depend upon
the weather the next few days 1t is now
favorable. Old settlers have never known
SO much rain to fall in July. West Of Daven-
beneficial to grain. The crops are still Civ
ing good promise in this territory
Cooperstown Branch-It rained for two days
this week, accompanied by high wind Some
early grain was lodged, but nothing serious
The rain did much good to late crops, which
were ere,o begin1ing to suffer from hot dry
increased generally. Some grain around
Darcy is rusting little.
James River Valley Branch-Weather has
been favorable for this section. The end of
last week turned very warm and had it con-
tinued without rain crops would have de-
Perforated AS it ample moisture fell and
cooler weather followed. Farmers are en-
couraged and look for a good average crop.
jamestown q Acknowledgements generally
are not quite as good as they were There
has been more rain than necessary. and the
weather is too cold, which is keeping crops
back. More favorable weather is prevailing
at present, which is offering announcement
to farmers. Hail damaged grain in good
sized area west of Oberon and Minnewau-
kan.
Mandan to Dickinson-The end of last week
was extremely warm in this section, and as
suffered considerably. Rain fell this week
in liberal quantities between Mandan and
Sims: reviving grain somewhat. West of this
locality little rain fell; consequently
crops look anything but promising. Farmers
say that rain now would benefit them
Montana-Favorable weather for grain in
the Gallatin valley has continued this week
and the outlook Is still fattering. Harvest
ing Of winter wheat has just commenced
Frequent showers have made it little un-
pleasant for haying. nice crop of hay is
being put up in the Bitter Root valley under
favorable conditions. Grain has improved
greatly during the last few weeks, and fair
average crops may yet be realized. Winter
wheat is ready to cut
Idaho, Washington and Oregon-Main line
east and west Of Pasco: Weather pleas
ant condition Of crops good; harvesting Just
begun. Palouse branch: Weather favorable;
crops in excellent condition. prospects
bright. c. w. Railroad: Crops in best of
condition; harvest just commencing. w &
c. R. Railroad: Condition of crops good !;
weather favorable; harvesting has begun
a