The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-12
CROP PROSPECT GLOOMY
SYNOPSIS OF CROP REPORTS RE-
CEIVED BY THE NORTHERN
PACIFIC
LESS HOPEFUL THAN BEFORE
Benefit That Was Expected From
the Recent Rains Has Been
More Than COunteracted
by Hot Winds.

the northern Pacihc as to the status OF
the crops along the line of the road It
is as follows:
Minnesota Division-The crop situation
in the Minnesota division is becoming
. more serious every day and farmers are
disappointed at the continuance of un-
favorable weather The recent showers,
which gave rise to cheerful comment in
grain circles, turned out to be OF little
consequence, on account of hot winds
following. Between Staples and the Red
River considera BILE damage to all vegeta-
ton, on low land, is reported from frost
the early part of the week. Up to June
slightly less than average yield was
hoped fer all along the division, but now
the most conservative persons estimate
that possibly rs per cent of a crop can
be harvested. Others say the outcome
Will not be more than half. Flax, corn
and potatoes, for the most part, have
not sprouted, and, generally speaking,
farmers will not replant them. Wheat
and oats a-e losing their strength and
are sadly in need of rain. Rye is in
poo: shape, and grasses also. Light
showers are reported at Staples and De-
trOit the night of June 8.
Little Falls & Dakota Branch-In this
section several light rains have been had
Of late, but the fall was confined to mar
row belts and not in sufficient quantities
to be Of material benefit. The situa ton
however is better than on the Minnesota
division, particularly on the western half
of the branch, where grains of all kinds
are said to be doing well and showing
good color Wheat is from four to eight
inches high, and corn, above ground, is
growing nicely. Nevertheless, vegetation
is very much in need OF heavy rains Rye
ground around Sauk Center is being
ploWed under, as quality of grain would
be too poor to cut. Potatoes, garden
truck and pastures are on the decline.
Fergus Falls Branch-Here the situa-
ton approaches that existing on the main
line in Minnesota and from Wadena to
Underwood grain IS heading out at a
height of from six to eight inches, and
turning yellow al the same time In tie
country Intervening between Fergus Falls
and Wahpeton a killing frost occurred
June l. 1t came in StreakS, and only the
low lands suffered. West of Wahpeton
the want of more rain shows plainly, but
crops are slightly better off than east
of that point. Winds and scorching
sun evaporated the rains of last week so
quickly that hardly any benefit was de-
rived.
Manitoba Division in Minnesota-South
of the Dakota crossing good growing
weather has prevailed curing the week,
with seve: al welcome showers thrown in.
Wheat has a good stand and color, is
four to six inches high and stooling fair
ly well. Flax is coming to the front
nicely. but all other growth needs more
encouragement in the way of moisture
The agent at Red Lake Falls states that
farmers are expecting the largest crop
in a good many years
Some farmers are now narrowing up
poor wheat and sowing flax. The pouring
rain of a week ago put quetus to the
raVages Of cut worms on flax, and
brought out the late sown seed in me
style An average yield of flax is an
of another heavy rainfall on June s. 1t
reached from Red Lake Falls to the
boundary.
Dakota Divfsion-Light showers have
fallen in most localities since our last
report was issued, and prospects are
somewhat more encouraging, but rain in
quantities is still required to offset the
effects of the hot spell. 1t is now a
recover, and at best Will yield not more
than ten bushels to the acre. A letter
from Casselton, however, states that Mr..
Oliver Dalrympie, who has extensive
grain interests and is an authority on
the subject is of the opinion that crops
in that portion CT the valley are all
right if rain comes soon. Flax, on the
other hand, is coming up nicely every
where on the division, and a heavy
crop, with favorable conditions can be
reasonably counted on, if all goes we'll
hereafter Other gra- MS are picking up
well, and 50 are grasses, but the latter
will be a short cut this year.
Manitoba-Crops in the provinces are
slowly advancing, and, as a general
thing, are doing comparatively well.
Light showers have been received
throughout the country, and have been
of more or less benefit, but winds and
heat have served TO counteract them
"NCC4AilS0
the assistance Of cool weather and more
moisture is very essential at this time.
Fargo and Southwestern Branch-The
general impression is that wheat has
sustained permanent injury of ten ito
fifteen per cent from drouth. Flax is
up in a number Of places and doing well,
but great deal of it has not sprouted,
and, until it does further seeding viii
be abandoned. The chances are fer
fair to good harvest.
James River Valley-This district has
hi ato1
the F. e S. w branch
Cooperstown Branch-The heavy rain
of last week, followed by frequelS
showers, has caused a wonderful trans
formation on this branch. This is es-
pecially true north OF Cooperstown,
where moisture has penetrated below
the roots and caused all vegetation to l'e-
vive. Yellow spots have disappeared al
most entirely, and wheat is getting along
splendidly. Flax breaking and planting
continues. Going further south, the
country gradually assumes the Dakota
division status. It is here that rain is
particularly needed, although more of it
in the north would be acceptable.
James; own and Northern Bran IA
marked Improvement has been wrought in
this section by the rains of the week,
and grains are beginning to take on a
good healthy appearance. Injured wheat
lands are being turned over and seeded
in flax The balance Of the wheat is COM
ing along nicely. Oats and barley are
four to six inches high, and flax is shoot
ing up rapidly. Abundance of rain and
bring about good harvest all around,
emitting hay from the list The light
frost June Z did no harm.
In connection with the agricult ural
status in the great wheat producing belts
of Minnesota and North Dakota it should
be added that the plants remarkable
maintenance of vitality. in withstanding
the drouth as well as it has is due largely
"a
and the consequent penetration of frC st
to a considerable depth in the soil. In
drawing from this moisture, roots have
reached far down into the ground. in
stead of assuming a surface spread, and.
therefore, most of the strength required
FOR the development of stalks, has been
utilized by the under growth; the balance
sustaining fairly well the overgrowth
though not advancing it.
Montana-Ihe crop in Montana con-
tlnues to receive favorable comment and
an immense harvest is anticipated God
growing weather has prevailed through
another week. Little rain has fallen.
however, and this factor, together with
Winds has necessitated irrigation at some
points, much sooner than was anticipated
Wheat Is about eight inches high and will
be ripe about July 4. Oats stand three to
six inches. All grains grasses. etc. have
a phenomenal growth. One or two frosts
touched d fruits and veget ables. but little
or no injury was done. Florence reports
flrst strawberries shipped on the fourth
inst In the Yellowstone valley a heavy
crop ti1 {, OF A Alfalfa is being cut. The situa-
tlq9 on Is, IS IN 1 everX way, very f1attering.
mas been somewhat scarce during the
week, but nobody cares much although
limited amount of irrigation has been in
beading out at a height of three feet f
Snrlng wheat IS ten to eighteen inches
above the ground. Slight trouble is re-
ported from rust. but it is not at all ex-