The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-08-18
August Crop Report.

been about one and One-half inches
above the normal. In many parts of
the state the rainfall was very heavy
and interfered to a considerable ex-
tent with harvesting. However, these
conditions were favorable to other
crops, and in consequence the pros
pect for large crop of corn, oats,
potatoes and beans is very favorable.
WHEAT.
The 1899 crop of wheat will easily
prove to be the poorest for many
years. In most of the counties the
yield is no better than was antici-
pated some time ago. Not only that,
but where much threshing has been
done the quality is also found to be
poor. The estimated average per
acre is: In the southern counties 7
bushels, central counties bushels,
northern counties 10 bushels, and for
the state 8 bushels. 1t is diEcult to
determine from these figures what the
crop will amount to in bushels. Con-
ditiOns this year are so different from
what they usually are that it is diff
cult to fix the amount of the crop even
approximately. A large per cent Of
the total acreage was plowed up this
spring and later on many fields were
cut for hay. The total acreage this
spring was 100000 acres. With the
state average at 8 bushels per acre it
would still indicate crop of 10000
900 bushels. When other factors are
taken into consideration crop of only
100000 is indicated. The large
crop of last year continued to grow
larger as threshing progressed. 1t is
possible that the small crop of this
year may continue to grow smaller.
Early blowing is very desirable in
properly fitting field for seeding to
wheat. The per cent of blowing done
for wheat in the southern counties is
%, central counties %, northern coun-
ties IL, and for the state 20.
CORN.
The conditions earlier in the season
were not particularly favorable to
corn. The prospect at present is that
the crop will not be injured this year
by a drought which has been 80 COM
mon late years. In few counties the
crop has been injured by continued
wet weather, cut worms and hail
storms. The condition Of corn as
compared with an average is, in the
southern counties 95, central counties
81, northern counties SO, and for the
state 81.
The conditions have been favorable
for oats and good crop has been har-
vested. In few instances the crop
has been injured by wet weather
causing it to rust badly; there are also
some complaints of smut in oats. The
estimated average yield per acre in
bushels is 35 in the southern counties,
SO in the central counties, 81 in the
northern counties and 35 for the state.
POTATOES.
The condition Of potatoes in the
southern counties is SO, in the CEN
trail counties SS, in the northern coun-
ties 80 and for the state 81.
BEANS.
The indications at the present time
are favorable for large crop of beans.
With good weather to secure the crop
it will no doubt prove quite profitable
this year. The condition Of the crop
as compared with an average is, in
the southern counties 95, in the CEN
trail counties 80, in the northern coun-
ties 81, and for the state 90.
CLOVER.
There are few crops on the farm
more important than clover. 1t is the
one crop that not only yields bounti-
fully under favorable conditions, but
also leaves the soil richer than, before
it was sown. Conditions have been
for clover for a number
of years. Summer droughts and the
ravages of insects have ruined the
crop several times. Its condition at
the present time as compared with an
average is in the southern counties IS,
in the central counties SO, in the
counties 107, and for the
state SO.
PASTURES.
The condition of pastures as COM
pared with an average is, in the south !
ern counties SO. in the central counties |
1903, in the northern counties 103. and