Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-20
DAKOTA CROP PROSPECTS
Taken as a Whole the Outlook for Grain is
Very Promising,
DRY WEATHER HURTS SOME SECTION
Yield of Wheat Under Present Condi-
lions IL Placed ut 10000. 900
Bushcls-Corn md Grass
In Good Condition.

PIERRE, s. D., July l9.-(Special)-The
farmers of South Dakota, encouraged by the
increased price OF wheat and the excellent
yield In most portions Of the state last year,
largely increased their acreage this season.
This Increase is estimated at about 10 per
cent, or practically 5000, 900 acres over last
year. This places the acreage in wheat for
this year at about 80, 900. 900. Estimates
made at the present time put the total
wheat Yield of the state this year at prac-
tically $1,000, 900 bushels. Last year 1t was
only 1000, 900, although the estimate about
the same time before harvest as the present
placed 1t at so, 900, 900 bushels. The esti-
mate Of 40, 900, 900 bushels is based upon re-
suits without severe climatic conditions to
damage the grain, and in case such condi-
lions do not occur within the next three
weeks, that estimate is called conservative.
This would give an average yield over the
state of thirteen bushels per acre. Some
sections will not show such a yield, while
others will be above II and the average kept
UP. The southern and eastern counties of
the state are III the best shape, and will
show an average above thirteen bushels,
while the northern and western counties
will run below this average. On account of
the lack of precipitation for June many
| fields in the section of the state north and
west of Beadle county will be poor, some
of them not being worth cutting, especially
where it was put in carelessly, and on the
surface. The rains in this section of the
state for that month were all local, and
fields within a few miles of one another
show a marked difference, some of them
coming up to the best in the state, while
others will not be cut. The precipitation
for June is shown by both the Pierre and
Huron offices to be practically three inches
below normal. While there have been re-
| ports of hot winds, no genuine hot wind
has swept over the state this season, but
the temperature has been very high, and
the lack of precipitation has left many or
the grain fields in poor shape.
This estimate of the grain yield for the
state is only upon the territory east of the
river, and the Black Hills section will
add considerably to this. But little of the
grain in that section is shipped out, most
of it being used at home.
While the dry weather in June injured the
wheat crop in portions of the state, it has
had no perceptible effect on corn. There
was sufficient rainfall In May to give corn
a good start, and the hot weather in June
did no. affect it. While there is no esti-
mate to be secured of the acreage or prob
able yield for the state it is estimated by
| ny tuOSS WIN lave Z ~ oNSi 'hS Wv
at a larger acreage, and fully as good a
yield as for last year, when it was 30,
900, 900 bushels.
Potatoes and millet are reported to be
in the best of shape and not at all injured
by the dry hot weather.
The grass crop is of a great deal of inn
portance in the range portions Of the state.
and during the dry weather of June a
shortage was feared. but the native grasses
soon make a showing with sufficient rain
fall, and with the heavy rains of the first
of this month came out finely, relieving any
apprehension on that score.
Taking the whole state over, unless the
next three weeks bring disaster to the crop,
the harvest will be an immense one for
South Dakota, and the farmers will have
a profitable year.