New-York tribune., 1901-07-23
CORN CROP NOT RUINED.
SECRETARY WILSON LOOKS FOR AN
AVERAGE YIELD-MACARONI WHEAT,
NEW VENTURE, HURT
THE MOST
[BT TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1suSE.I

E-l
Washington, July 22.-Mr. Wilson, Secretary
Of Agriculture. to-day favored The Tribune
with talk the effects of the long continued
drouth on the growing crops of the West He
does not take gloomy view of the agri-
cultural prospects between the Allegheny and
the Rocky mountains as do some of the so
called experts who are not connected with tbs.
government service. Nor yet does Mr. Wilson
attsmpt to minimize the injury already done
and that will increase unless there is a great
precipitation of moisture during the next few
weeks in the vast stretch OF country between
the continental mountain ranges. While ne ac-
knowledges that the hard wheat belt of the North
vest has been considerably damaged. he does
not yet despair of average yield of corn in
the corn belt which he defines as extending
east from the Missouri River to the AIIeghenies,
embracing the States of Iowa. Wisconsin the
northern part of Missouri and all OF Illinois,
Indiana and Ohio. The most regrettabIe loss
declares the Secretary, is that of the macaronf
wheat crop. For the first time an experiment.
had been made this year in the production of
this variety of wheat on a large scale In tha
United States. Secretary Wilson has been en-
couraging this experiment ever since he has been
at the head of the Agricultural Department,
and imported the seed from Northern Africa,
where most OF the wheat is produced which
supplies Europe and the world with nacaronI
The grain flourishes only in an arid or semi
arid climate and 1t in that region of the
West where large crops Of it were sown this
/ year.
The reports TO this office show that we had
about 100000, bushels of nnacaroni wheat in
? sight this year. said Mr.. Wilson to a repre-
sentative of The Tribune. but that the stub
born drouth virtually has killed il all How
ever. we have demonstrated that it is possible
to produce in this country fine quality OF
macaroni wheat under favorable conditions and
am certain that the farmers who tried il this
year will not despair and abandon the effort be-
cause of the unforeseen misfortune that befsll
them. We import about 100000 pounds OF
macaronl. worth about SS.00O.OOO to the United
States every year. and feel satisfied that we
soon shall produce all consume and have a
surplus for export is the with all OF our
other cereal products
Aside from this failure OF the macaroni
wheat crop. Mr.. Wilson will not admit that the
outlook at present indicates the total failure OF
any other cereal crop. He says that wheat and
oats in the semi-arid region OF Western Kansas.
Nebraska and the Dakotas have suffered great
ly. and that there consequently will be a
duced yield of those commodities in that Sec
tion. But he stoutly maintains that the short
ness will not be nearly so heavy as is being pre-
dicted by spectators. AS 10 the yield.
before remarked the Secretary is not at all
and wire from trained agents of the Agricul-
turaI Department who traversing every
agricultural State and closely studying condi-
tions None of these reports. according TO the
Secretary. justfes the predictions of wholesale
crop failure in the West which are indulged in
by great many farmers and traders and
speculators at the centres of distribution In
the monthly report of the Agricultural Depart
ment for July. which will be issued not earlier
than August TO- Secretary Wilson believes he
will be able to show that the situation is not a.
bad as it is being pictured at present
HOPES FOR AVERAGE CORN CROP.
The Secretary is especially hopeful Of an aver
age corn crop He says it will not be record
breaker or "a bumper" in the parlance or the
Agricultural Department. but that at this mo-
ment the prospects favor a fair average yield
Mr.. Wilson sad
II something could be done to induce the farm
in the belt TO extend their period OF
cultivation about two weeks this year beyond
the usual limit would look for big crop But
ing TO close. and / fear that with compara-
lively few exceptions the farmers will lay by
their corn at the regular time regardless or the
drouth. In the entire corn belt. with the ex-
ception of Missouri which has a shallow soi
thirty inches OF rain during the year is all that
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