The Saint Paul globe., 1897-06-07
RAIN WAS TIMELY
CROP PROSPECTS WE'RE SOME
WHAT ENHANCED BY THE
WEEKS SHOWERS

The weekly crop report of the
Northern Pacific is trife less san
guine than it's predecessors, although
there is as yet no reason to expect
material decrease in the estimates pre-
Vfously made of the probable crop. A
synopsis of the report is as follows:
M Minnesota Division-Thls week started in
with light to heavy frosts on Sunday and
MONDAY nights; garden vegetables early Do
taloe5 ana corn were nipped badly in some
districts west of Staples, although the total
INJURY done is not extensive, owing to vege-
t2Dlcs not being sufficiently far advanced.
Wheat escaped harm, but oats were cut down
IN few low spots. Tuesday, a good steady
rain set in and continued from twenty to
thlrty-sIx hours. This VIII be worth thou
saLdS or dollars to the community. Already
wheat and oats look greatly revived, and are
IN excellent condition after the long cold spell,
winch has been beneficial, having caused
wheat 10 stool we'll and take deep root.
FARMERS are much elated over the prospects
OF good crops Of small grain. Hay also is
making fresh start Corn is in poorest
condition OF any crop, but with warm weather
now may turn out well. The acreage of DO
tatoes planted in the vicinity of Glyndon and
Moorhead viii be % per cent less than usual
Little Falls and Dakota Branch-Wheat and
cther small grain are in a fourishng condi-
h0n, and prospects were never better for
good crops; although set back to some extent
by frcsts and cool weather, the recent CO.
pious rains are bringing grain along rapidly
Corn and vegetables were cut to the ground
but warm weather may revive them. Wild
buckWheat and other weeds are said to have
been killed outright
Fergus Falls Branch-A good general rain
hours or more, and it is helping grain along
wonderfully. Frost on the 31st did consider
able harm to garden truck and early corn
along the branch east of the state line. In
hn pnin nir1Dr 70
from continued dry and cool weather, and
very little late sowing had sprouted; ample
rain, however, has changed these conditions
for the better very materially. Prospects for
the wheat crop are now considered fattering
the whole.
Manitoba Division, South of Boundary-Fa-
yorahle wheat weather continues throughout
the Red river valley. Clay, Norman and
Polk counties were favored with a steady
rain. on the 1st which diminished at the
northern part Of Polk county. The ground is
now thoroughly soaked, ana crops could not
look better at this time of the year Several
light frosts occurred, but this did not in, er-
fere with grain. There were two or three
light showers in Dakota as far as Gilby,
which were helpful. Further north through
Walsh and Pembina counties, scarcely any
rain has fallen for ten days. Nothing is in
great need Of moisture, but as considerab, e
high wind has prevailed, drying up the sur
face soil, rain would be welcomed and would
prevent any possibility Of seed being unG0v-
cred Otherwise crops all doing very
nicely. Grain sown in the flooded districts
is growing rapidly, and gives promise for
large crops.
In NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the past week have
not been 50 favorable for.crpps, Weather has
been. cold. dry and windy. with couple of
sSha +froStS, which do not seem: to have
hart grain to any extent however Rain is
ali that Is needed now TO: insure good crops.
Grain sis at: a standstiil, but looks healthy,
and cannot be said to be suffering at all.
The western 7portien of the Brandon branch
is in the greatest needso rain, as that sec
ton has continued the longest without moist
ure. Between Emerson and Morris crops are
Ill excellent shape, but Will need rain shortly.
Prospects on the whole are still considered
very good, and are much better than this
time last year. -.
Dakota Divfsion-Since last report the first
few days continued hnf9yorable for growing
grain; cool weather with sfrosts kept vege-
tation at a standstill until Tuesday, when a
general rain began and, continued. for fully
day and a half; the whole country is greatly
refreshed; grain that has been retarded in
growth by cold weather will now progress
rapidly; seed that has remained in the ground
for many days without spreuttng is now send
ing up shoots. The best informed farmers
say that frost hurt the grain but very
slightly, and that the rain that followed will
more than Offset any injury done by freezing.
Indications are for warmer weather. This will
make conditions nearly perfect
Fargo and Southwestern Branch - The
long loeked-for rain finally came Tuesday and
Wednesday. Farmers are rejoicing as they
consider good crops almost sure thing
now. The ground is soaked over a foot deep,
and the weather has turned warmer. Barley
and oats in places were cut by the frost,
but it is thought they will revive under the
present favorable conditions. Weeds which
were making rapid progress before the frost
have nearly all been killed. and the strong
growth grain is making will crowd them out
Of existence good many had prepared
land for flax, but had withheld seeding on
account of the dry weather. They will now
hn- oVt r ton TUh 10
will increase the acreage Of this cereal 10
per cent.
!. Cooperstown Branch-Copious rains on the
first two days of this month broke the con-
tinued dry spell. 1t was the first good rain
of the season, and will accomplish untold
benefit by restoring frosted grain and starting
fa.e sowing. 1t was still raining when re-
ports were sent IN. All agree there will be
a marked Improvement in crops by next week.
James River Valley Braneh-zTwo frests the
first of the week, together. with continued
cold, dry weather make it very unfavorable
for all grain. Oats, barley and flax suffered
the most; wheat was not injured so much.
The general rain which set in on Tuesday will
doubtless revive most Of the frosted grain.
Next reports will determine whether any
losses have been sustained or not. The out
look is infinitely more encouraging than a
week ago.
jamestown and Northern Branch-When
reports were sent in, a heavy rain was fall
ing at all points except Leeds, where the rain
was light. This is all that farmers have
hoped for during the last two or three weeks
and it has come none too late. The general
opinion is that grain will nearly all revive
from the trying conditions it has passed
through for the ten days previous to rain
Frost has not proved so injurious to grain as
the cold windy weather which prevailed. al
though some fields of early flax, it is expected
will have to be reSoWn. A good deal more
flax will be seeded now since the rain; also
considerable new land will be broken. The
prospects as a whole compare very favoraby
wi time.
Mandan to Dickinson-This section was fa-
vored with d couple of days rain this week
which came just in time to save crops. The
eold dry weather, with frost two nights early
in the week, had telling effect on the young
grain: wheat in some places was turning
yellow and 1t is feared that other grains
that were up have been materially injured
To what extent they will recover can be
better determined later. large amount of
seed remained in the ground unsprouted. 1t
is expected this will all be up by next week
Ranges will now afford more abundant feed
Montana-The Yellowstone and Gallatn val
leys have been materially benefited by several
good rains this week. The weather has also
turned warmer, making conditions for crops
now perfect. Everybody is we'll pleased with
the outlook. While few showers have fallen
in the Bitter Root valley. there is still a
great necessity for more rain. If crops were
sufficiently far advanced, irrigation could
be done, but this is not practicable till grain
is up fully six inches. Ranges on the whole
afford plenty of pasturage.
Idaho, Washington and Oregon-Along the
main line east of Pasco weather favorable and
crops progressing. West of Pasco, crops do
ing nicely with pleasant weather. Spokane
and Palouse Braneh-Crop outlook continues
very promising. Weather warm and more
rain desired.
Central Washington Railrcad-Cool showery
weather, beneficial to grain.
w. & G. Ralway-Crops continue to thrive
weather warm.