The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-07-26
MINNESOTA Crop REP0TR

Mr. e. H. Holmes, the United States field
superintendent of the department Of agri-
culture, arrived in the city yesterday
from Washington, D. c., to begin tour of
the Northwest. Mr.. Holmes will leave
this morning for Grand Forks, N. D., in
the meantime making his headquarters with
State Statistical Agent Plum A. Rodgers, in
the Chamber of Commerce building.
The varying and generally bad crop re-
ports from this section of the country de-
manded Mr.. Holmes personal investigation.
He dashed through the Northwest about a
month ago and found agriculture in worse
condition than it ever has been, compare
lively speaking, in the history of this re-
gion. 1t Immediately became scene OF much
importance statistically, and Mr.. Holmes
has come himself to carefully note the out
look.
"A month ago the crops of North Dakota.
South Dakota and Minnesota promised re-
spectively, only IS, 40 and SO per cent Of the
usual production. The monthly statement
from that district Is not yet in, but there
are reasonable fears that it will be less en-
couraging than the previous one.
REPORTS NOT RELIABLE.
The farmers differ SO materially in the
information they provide that scarcely any
thing definite can be gathered from it, and
to get real facts Mr.. Holmes. after having
consulted the state agents and county cor
respondents, will drive through the ques-
tionable localities. and by personal obser-
walton arrive at the true situation Of affairs.
There were light and much scattered rains
in the northern half Of the state in the mid
die and latter part Of the week; in the Min
were moderately heavy, and in a few oiaces
very heavy, and they continued the last
days OF the preceding week till about the 18th
and in some places till later date with
danger Of loss to shocked barley and wheat BY
sprouting and discoloring and delaying har-
crate till the 21st. when they were high, es-
pecially in the Red river valley The splendid
filing of the heads Of spring wheat with
grain OF good quality is reported in all Sec
tions but the straw is very short except
in especially favored sections. A considerable
before the rains came. and plowing is still
going on in Marshall county. Spring wheat
harvest began in one of the south central coun-
ties on the 18th, and harvest will be general
IN all but the northern counties by the 18th.
Many wheat fields very irregular in con-
the same wheat field all stages OF growth
from the forming head to the fully ripened
grain. Most Of the barley is in shock The
Oat crop Is generally poor. much is nearly
ready to cut and great deal is already cut.
In many fields of oats. Etooling began after the
rains fell. and while the stools are green and
forming heads. the parent plant is ripe. Early
flax has improved considerably. and some Is turn
ing color. HayinS is nearing completion; the
crop Is very light. and in southern counties
some OF the unsecured crop Is spoiled by rain.
The condition of forage crops ID good and ON
the farm they will largely supply the deficiency
in the hay crop: Pastures are great deal
better. Corn and potatoes are doing excelIentIy
Apples continue to drop of. but generally the
crop IL good