The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-21
SOUTH DAKOTA'S WHEAT CROP.
IL VIII Amount to 100000 Bushels.
Last Year It was 20. 900 600.


SIOUX FALLS. s. D., July 3.-The
great wheat fields Of this State are a
source of wonderment and establishment
10 the Northwestern farmer this year.
Harvesting has begun in the southern
counties Of the state and the results are
surprising TO all. Not since the first set
Element Of the Northwest has the growth
of small grain been so rapid as during the
present season. and the first dressings
which were begun last week show that
the yield has been greater than ever in
the States history Add to this the 25
per cent of increased acreage over last
season, and the State will produce 6O00O,-
600 bushels Of wheat as against 100000
bushels last year The high price OF
wheat last fan. occasioned by the Letter
corner. prompted farmers TO plant more
extensively Of wheat this year but this
alone was not the only reason. The West
ern farmer has learned TO cultivate wheat
at less expense than formerly, and tho
immense settlements of Russian farmers
understand little else than the raising Of
wheat.
In the northern part OF the State, at the
town Of Eureka, is the largest local grain
market in the world. Here forty-four
grain elevators and warehouses are en-
ployed TO care for the wheat that IS
brought from the country west of the
railroad terminus. All OF the great ele-
yator lines Of the country are represented
here, and as many as ten trainloads of
grain are shipped TO the Eauern markets
daily. The railroad is now contemplating
an extension further into the wheat belt
westward. and the Importance of Eureka
will then be impaired as local market
Vast wheat fields. where the grain
do nd holt fn faa
high. and extending In a radius OF 100
miles from the town. will be ready for the
reaper about the 18th. with every pros
pect that the yield will be even heavier
than that now being cut and threshed in
the southern part OF the Stae.
Railroad companies are troubled over the
demand that will soon be made upon
them for transportation facilities when
the crop is ready 10 move. The capacity
Of the elevators Of the State is made
quate to the demands that will be made
upon them. and storage contracts are
now being made with the large grain rails
ers. who will rush their grain to market
direct from the fields.
tionally free from devastating storms
tionaly freen from devastating storms
during the growing season. and. while
the rainfall has been exceptionally great,
# appears to have been benefit rather
than a detriment. as the farmers pre-
dicted.
The contract between the condition OF
the farmers of South Dakota to-day and
that OF six years ago seems hardly cred
lbe IL will be remembered that then
Gov. Sheldon proclaimed 10 the world
that the farmers were starving and aid
was sent them from the East The great
newspapers Of the East sent agents 10 in
vestigate. and the sufferings Of the farm
ing classes were graphically portrayed
The farmers have since become rich and
prosperous 1t is difficult for the banks
to md borrowers among the farmers
and 50 independent have they become
that many small banks acting as agents
for Eastern financial concerns. have been
forced out Of business Six years ago
from y 10 "a per cent was the rate Of
interest paid on borrowed capital. To-day
the state cannot lend its school fund at
per cent. South Dakota farmers do not
need money except for the purpose of
buying more lsnC. and those who do not
invest in land are lending their surplus
funds on town mortgages.
Immigration I'm South Dakota was tenn
porarily suspended by the declaration OF
war. yet her increase In population so
FAR this year is estimated at 5,00o.-New
York Sun.