Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-04-22
REPORT ON CROPS.
Floods in Valley Regions Prevent
Farming Operations.

Farming Operations.
The reports as to the condition of the
crops throughout the country and the
general effect of the weather on the pro-
gress of the farm work and the growth
and cultivation of the crops made by the
directors Of the several climate and crop
sections indicate that over the greater
part of the country the week was not
favorable for farming operations, being
too wet in the States of the central valleys
and from the Ohio river southwark to the
gulf coast. In portions of Louisiana, Mis-
sissppi, Kansas, Wisconsin and Michi-
gan the conditions were more favorable.
In the northern portion of the middle At
lantic States, Ohio and Texas the week
was upon the whole very favorable. Win
ter wheat has been killed to greater or
less extent over q considerable portion of
the winter wheat States. Some improve
ment has, however, been noted in In
diana. Michigan and Missouri; in the last
named State much of the winter wheat
killed will be plowed up for other crops.
In Kansas the crop is making rapid
growth, and in Oklahoma it is reported
In fine condition, while very favorable
reports are received from Kentucky and
Tennessee. Cotton planting is in pro-
gress over the southern portions of the
cotton belt.
The outlook for fruit is reported as fair
in Illinois, good in Maryland, Pennsylva-
MIA, New Jersey and Alabama and excel
lent in Missouri. Peaches have been bad
ly injured in northern Georgia. and frosts
have caused injury to fruit in North Caro-
lima, Virginia Ohio. New Mexico and
Arizona. The reports by States follow:
Illinos-Temperatur above normal, with
excessive rainfall over most OF the State;
little work done, but few oats and little
spring wheat sown, with little gardening and
blowing In south. Rye, clover, grasses and
remaining winter wheat starting well fruits
uninjured except peaches, and peaches and
plums are blooming in extreme south.
Wisconsin-The snow has nearly disap-
peared except in the northern counties. The
frost Is rapidly coming out of the ground and
the high winds and warm weather OF the
past week have greatly assisted In placing
the soil In good condition for spring work.
Flowing begun in southern counties. Winter
grain Is badly winter killed. wheat espe-
cialy.
Mlnnesota-Much of Red River Valley is
Hooded though IL Is encouraging that IL Is
ten to fifteen days earlier than former great
floods. Snow is about all gone and frost Is
coming out rapidly. Soil Is too wet for seed
Ing except for small patches on uplands. All
lowlands are overfowed.
South Dakota-Seasonable temperature
and rainy weather have melted the remain
Ing snow and flooded the already full
streams and the owands The season Is
unusually late and no seeding begun, but
with drying weather will commence this
week
Nebraska-week cloudy. with excessive
rainfall Ground too wet to work and prac-
tically no farm work done during week.
Grass and fall sown grain starting nicely,
but considerable wheat was winter killed.
kansas-Warm week, with abundant rains,
except In extreme southwest, has been bene-
fcial to wheat, grass and fruits. but has re-
tarded farm work. Winter and early spring
wheat making rapid growth. Some corn
planting and oats sowing south; too wet
north.
Iowa-The season Is late and the soil is
generally too wet for field work. Several
days of sunshine and drying winds are need
ed to prepare ground for plowing and seed
Ing. Grass has made good start.
lndiana-Wheat and grasses are improving
and turning green Tobacco beds are sown
In Ohio County. Rye In good condition.
and oats seeding In southern portion but in
other portions farm work progresses.
Ohio-Weather favored crops and farm
work. Wheat. rye. pastures. timothy and
clover doing nicely. Considerable lowland
wheat destroyed or injured by floods or
heavy rains during March. Flowing for oats
and corn fairly general few gardens
made. Oats sowing and potato planting be-
gun. Favorable sugar season. Peaches and
cherries damaged 10y winter cold; other fruits
probably safe.
Michigan-Dry, sunshiny weather has
dried the soil very rapidly, putting fields In
fair condition for working, and made win
ter wheat and rye and meadows look more
promising. Snow In upper and frost in low
er peninsula are rapidly disappearing. Fruit
buds beginning to start. In southern coun-
ties plowing has begun and some oats and
barley have been sown.