The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-08
CROP STATUS IS BETTER
SUCH ARE THE REPORTS RE
CEIVED FROM STATE DAIRY
INSPECTORS
RAIN HELPED SOME CROPS
And In Dairying Localities Espe-
ctaIIy the Outlook Is Much
Better Than 1t Was
Previously.

Data is being collected by the state
dairy and food department regarding
the effect of the drought upon the crops,
particularly as it retarded the dairy in
dustry From information received
from the half dozen inspectors 1t ap-
pears that the rain came in time to save
very large part of Minnesota's crop;
indeed, one weeks delay and Minnesota
farmers would have in reality had some
thing to complain of. Farmers, like
other mortaIs, frequently complain Of ex-
listing conditions, and 1t is often that
their plant is without reasonable found
| alton. However, in this case the situa-
ton commenced to look desperate. But
the rain came just in time, and much of
| the crop Is saved.
In Southern Minnesota, where most Of
the creameries are located, the pasturage
has been frightened up and the product
of creameries in some cases increased
to its normal output-nearly double that
of a few weeks ago. Many Of the farm
ers planted their fodder corn and put in
millet before the heavy rains, and al
ready the new forage crop has made its
appearance, and chances favor a very
large forage crop.
The state department found in many
places that farmers had disposed of their
stock, and contemplated selling in the
early fail, rather than to feed during the
winter. In fact, they would have moth
ing to feed. The hay crop was not large
and would have to be fed during the
summer, as pasturage would have been
dried up if the drouth had continued
much longer The grass Is revived, and
by taking the timely advice of the state
agricultural school, in planting fodder
corn, many farmers will be enabled to re-
tain their stock. A popular impression
was abroad for some time that fodder
corn could not be planted in Minnesota
later than June, but Prof. Hacker has
dispelled this theory and advised all
who had any amount of stock to feed
through the winter to plant fodder corn
as late as July 4.
MAJ. Bower inspectors report the corn
corn crop as very good, especially in
southern Minnesota. The rain came just
in time to insure, in most localities, a
very good wheat crop. Grain developed
so rapidly after the rain that it's growth
could be noticed from day to day. In
three days one field of grain in Martin
county grew seven inches.
Cool breezes were prevalent over the
state following the heavy rains, making
it almost impossible for rust to injure
the crop. If a long spell of hot mucky
weather had followed the excessive rains
the loss from this source would have
been very considerable AS it is con-
ditions could not have been more favor
able for a late development of all small
grain.
Minnesota will yield an average pota-
ia crop. Small vegetables were injured
more or less in most localities, and late
berries will be somewhat scarce. Fruit
trees stood the drought fairly well, al
though many were injured by early
frosts.
Difficulty may be met in harvesting the
small grain crop. Nearly all the wheat
in the state is very short-stemmed, and
it will be quite difficult to cut with a
binder. Where it is not practicable to
use a binder the common moving ma
chine viii be empo> and the grain
raked up and handled like hay, much
more tedious and expensive process
Short-stemmed grain often grades quite
high, but this year some wheat is too
short to cut with a binder. Between
now and harvest time, however, much OF
! 1t may grow sufficiently.
Minnesota dairy cows are now giving
just as good milk as ever and the half
! thousand or more creameries are again
making what is recognized in other mar
kets as the best butter in the world.