Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-08-29
THE HAPPY KANSAS FARMER.
in Spite of Lack of Rain He is in
Extremely Good Shape.


best ever produced in the state, and by
the large quantities of corn on hand.
The average value of corn, oats and hay
crops in the last ten years has been
about $50, 900, 000 1t is probable that
II will not exceed half the sum this
year, which would make the loss in
these crops about $50, 900 900, compared
with an average year. On the other
side of the ledger is the high price of
all farm products, which will measur
ably compensate for the small crops.
These figures indicate how greatly the
suiferings of Kansas farmers in the
corn belt have been exaggerated by the
estimates sent out from Chicago, which
put the total loss TO the state by the
dry season at 100000, 900. Kansas has
been so VIGOROUSLY prosperous in crops
that a few droughty weeks create
sensation in the land.
The fact Is that the damage by the
dry weather will be serious only to
those farmers who lack the resources
to carry their live stock and who must
ship it out TO Kansas City or dispose
of it at sacrifice to their more fortu-
nate neighbors Fortunately for the
state the farmers were never in bet
ter condition to weather dry season
than this summer. Crops have been
good tor n series of years, and prices
have been on rising scale since 1896.
The farmers are no longer mortgage
ridden as ten years ago, but have as
rule excellent credit and money in
bank. The banks themselves are filled
with money to loan to carry feeders
through. The failure of hay does not
Include the alfalfa, the most important
grass crop grown in the state, which
will produce many hundred thousand
tons this year ia spite OF the dry wealth
er. The growth of this drouth resist
ing crop In Kansas in ten years has
been amazing, the reports of Secretary
Coburn showing that in 1891 there were
"a 1854 acres in the state, whereas last
year the creage was 276 O0S From the
many experiments of the State Agri-
cultural college 1t appears that ton
of alfalfa is equivalent to three tons
OF prairie and to nearly two tons OF
red clover hay,
In addition to this invaluable fod-
der crop, Kaffir corn, described by the
Agricultural college as the greatest
dry weather resisting crop that can be
grown in Kansas" has expanded in
acreage in even greater ratio than al
falfa Eight years ago the Kafiir corn
acreage in the state was 46,9ll acres.
and It has steadily increased until last
year It's area was GAS, acres. 1t is
about the same, no doubt, this year.
Prof Haney. OF the Agricultural col
lege. says Of this wonderful new Kan
sas crop; IF the rains are sufficient
and the frost does not come too soon.
it will make a good crop, although 1t
has stood comparatively dried up for
six weeks. Corn, to some extent. Will
renew It's growth after moderately
! dry period but not in comparison with
Kafir corn" The last dry summer In
| Kansas was 1894, when the corn crop
was less than 81 900, 900 bushel 10
| state, being scarcely more than one
| fourth Of an average crop. In that
| year at the college experiment station,
corn yielded no grain, but produced
one ton OF fodder to the acre. In the
same year Kafilr corn yielded two tons
to the acre. I'm the western part of the
state" says Prof Hanoy, the differ
ence in favor of kaiilr corn Ia greater,
as there, in dry years, when corn yields
one to five bushels per acre. the yield
OF Kaffir corn Is 90 bushels or more.
When 1t Is considered that tho farm
ers have In these two drouth resisters,
alfalfa and Katfr corn. an aggregate
acreage in the state Of over 800 900
acres. as compared with but 10000
acres less than ten years ago, their SUI
perior resources In fighting drouth and
maintaining themselves through a sim
gle dry season are apparent
It is possible that Kansas farmers
may not produce more than 100000 900
bushels of corn this year, although
good rains would yet increase this very
materially, but they stlll carry a large
quantity of surplus corn from previous
crops. This old corn is In the hands
OF those farmers for the most part who
are well loaded up with cattle and
hogs. The March returns are not all In
as yet, showing the quantity OF old
corn then in farmers hands, but the
reports from thrce-fourths Of the coun-
ties Of the state indicate that the
amount OF corn on hand this spring
was between 30,000,000 and 10000 900
bushels This viii feed vast army
OF live stock.
The present drouth ought not 10 be
without important value to stock
raising farmers by way of admonilion
10 build larger cribs and keep greater
quantities OF corn always on hand from
the abundant crops. Those farmers
who have been doing q hand-to- mouth
business are hard-hit by the present
dry spell. The live stock business Of
the state has grown to such proport IONS
that nothing else now compares with 1t.
Prudence warns the farmers OF the
corn belt in fruitful years to hold their
surplus corn, build larger granaries,
and lay up not for rainy, but for =
drouthy day In the last five years the
number Of head Of horses, cattle, sheep
and hogs in Kansas has nearly doubled.
being $3.50 900 mead in 1896, and $500
900 head last year. Their value In the
same time increased from $73 900 900 to
$l43, 000, 900. To maintain such bust
ness requires large supplies. After ths
experience OF this season the forehand-
ed farmer will store his surplus and
place less dependence on the yield Of
a single year.
The present Is the thirteenth summer
that tho German eunpNOr haa EuT1lf In