Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-03-15

The Minneapolis Journal crop experts
in commenting on the prospect for cereal
crops in the northwest this year, says:
What will be the wheat crop of the
northwest for the year 1901? AS spring
draws near there is great interest mani
tested in the prospects and. possibilities
for the coming crop, and much ~specula-
ton as to the probable acreage that will
be soWn. The experience of many years
has shown the futility of early spring
estimate, and many figures of past sea-
sons put out by various estimators in the
early spring and based upon superficial
observation or necessarily incomplete
data have fallen fiat when the harvesting
returns have come in. It is but a short
look ahead now to seeding time and until
then it is of course impossible to make
an intelligent estimate as to actual acre.
age. There are. however, some general
facts in relation to the outlook for the
coming crop = about which it is
possible to speak with certainty.
Preliminary conditions point to an
early break up and good weather
for seeding. The ground is well watered.
While the winter has been mild and
without heavy SHOWS yet the country has
been blanketed by frequent light furries,
last fall was very wet, and the ground
now holds enough snow, and is frozen
hard enough&to saturate the earth; to a
good depth and provide moisture for the
plant in the early stages of growth. All
reports bear this out and farmers coming
in to Minneapolis from widely different
points say that the ground is right to
hold the seed. n &# $s
There is the further fact that wheat nov
holding on a range about lOc over prices
of this time last year, which will ainflu-
2ence famersin some sections to SOW more
freelySwhile j ID the flax districts the acre
age may be doubled.
II the old rule holds good that q year
Of high prices works for increased pro-
ductinn in the following year there will
de heavy fax crop. Last year was a
hard one for the fax growers. The early
drought that killed SO much wheat oper-
ated against the fax as well. First came
drought then toomuch moisture coupled
with frost damage to northern fax. In
places fe-a1515 proved up their entire
acreage, it being worthless.
But while some lost their crops, those
fortunate enough to take in a fair yield
realized handsomely. In December last
No. / seed sold in Minneapolis around
$1.75 and $1.80 a bushel, and while there
have been declines since then, prices
eve now are very high by compari-
son with former years. There can be no
doubt that if the present. range is main
tanned many farmers will put in just a
little more flax than last year.
To this factor must be added the in
creased acreage due to, follow from the
5000 new settlers have gone into North
sDokota and much new land has been set
tied. This spring wilIsee thousands OF
acres of new ground turned. In much Of
this fax will be sown. There will be diff
fiedlty in places to get seed and this may
hold doWn&the acreage somewhat. espe-
chilly among the poorer farmers. The
large elevator companies have often put
q seed on time to help deserving set
tiers and their policies will doubtless be
the same this year. 81 j: ~