Iron County register., 1898-03-10
CONDITION OF WINTER WHEAT.

Government Crop Service Reports Are Cen
orally FavorabIe-PIanf Small ia Places
as Result of Drought, but Vigorous $50
Wen Rooted-sone Damage In MASsos1o
and Illinois.
WAsHIN eToS. March 3.--The follow
ing special reports indicate the gener-
al condition of winter wheat At the
close of the month Of February IN the
principal winter wheat states Ineoe
statements are based upon reports from
climate and crop service correspond
eats, collected at state section centerS
OF the climate and crop service OF the
weather bureau
These reports indicate that the crop
has come through the winter thus lar
in very favorable condition. the reports
from northern California, Kansas ana
Nebraska being exceptionally fatter-
ing. In the states of the Mississippi
and Ohio valleys, owing to the prsVa~
lence of drought during the autunn'
seeding was generally delayed, and the
plant is reported as small and fhln'
though generally well rooted and vig-
orous. The crop has been winter
killed to some extent in the southern
portions of Illinois and Missouri, ana
some injury has been done by ny IN
Tennessee, PENNSYLVANIA and Mary
land On the whole, the weather con-
ditions of the winter thus far have been
very favorable to winter wheat.
ILLINOIS.
Chicago-There are conflicting reports, but
prevailing opinions indicate that the small
amount of wheat sown in the northern district
is in good condition and well protected Iae
central district has small acreage gsnerai4y.
with fair to poor condition along .ne north ana
throughout the eastern counties. but fzr &c
condition in central. southern and western co17-
ties The southern district reports small plant,
somewhat damaged by freezing and thaTlog'
with best prospect in north and west counties
Seeding everywhere was late and the plant Is
small, out the winter has been generally favor
able.
INDIANA.
Indianapolis-Wheat seeding was delayed by
unfavorable weather and soil conditions in the
fall and az the beginning Of winter the plant OF
was only small IN general wheat wintered
fairly well. and freezing and thawing did but
little damage, especially in the northern por-
tionr where snow covered the fields nearly All
winter AT the END OF February wheat in most
fields looked small. but green. vigorous and
healthy, and it is well rooted In some fields
especially in the central portion. the top has
been frosted. but the roots are sound and in
good condition
IOWA
Des Moines-The acreage OF winter wheat has
been materially reduced by the severe drought
of the fall and failure to germinate- But the
wintry conditions have been unusually faTora-
BILE, and wherever fair stand was secured the
plant IS vigorous and very promising. Owing
to the almost continuous covering Of snow the
soil has not been deeply frozen
KANSAS.
Topeka-west Of meridian 9s degrees. 80 min
utes, the general condition OF the wheat IS the
best (for this time OF year, in ten years. East
of this line but little wheat is grown save OF
river bottoms, and its condition is good except
that it is backward in Wilson county, and has
poor prospect in Labegte county. In the couR-
ties Of the middle division. the great wheat
belt, it is in fine cond itioa. the early-Sown hay
ing even stand and strong plant The late
sown is coming well forward, givi ng fine prom
ise- Much was sown in the western division.
The early-Sown is in fine condition. and the lace
Is sprouting well.
KENTUCKY.
Louisville-The wheat crop is in fine condi-
ton generally. Seeding was quite late on ac-
count of the severe drought in the fall, and. IL
some fields growth is small. but the plant has
q good color and looks thrifty. It's good condi-
tion is due to the mild winter, for it had poor
start and there has been little snow TO protect
it The freeze early in February cosored soms
fly. Prospects are bright
MISSOURI
Columbia-In a few central and southern
counties wheat is reported winter-killed &c
some extent. but in general the crop has come
through the winter so far in good condition In
northern sections the ground has been well COW
cred with snow the greater part of the time
The plant is generally small and thin on the
ground, however, owing to protracted drought
last fall. and much viii depend upon the
weather during March
NEBRASKA
Lincoln-The fall and winter were excep-
tionally favorable for fall-sown grain Wheat
made good growth in the fall and entered the
winter with vigorous plant. The ground froxe
up moist and heavy snowfall followed whice
in the absence OF high winds drffted but little
and protected the wheat well. Present appear
ances indicate that little wheat has been win
terkilled. and the crop is everywhere in excel
lent condition, probably the best for many
years
TENNESSEE.
Nashyille-The area much larger than last
year. Owing to fall drought only about half
was sown early. This. generally. is much bet
ter than later seeding, and especially where
drilled and fertiIized. The mild winter has
favored growth, and, as a rule, good stands
W. 4-rooted and stooling well. are reported In
L few of the central counties slight damage By !
ay is reported Altogether . better conditioz
at the close OF February than for several years
Is indicated.