Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-08-17
State Crop Report.

The month Of July furnishes an unus-
ual and withal interesting chapter in the
history of Wisconsin agriculture.
The unusual high temperature, cOntin-
ually maintained, for long period when
accompanied by sufficient moisture, ad-
yanced crops rapidly, and generally with
out great injury; but in those parts Of the
state where little rain fell, earlier ma
turing crops were prematurely ripeued,
with considerably loss both in quantity
and qnallty OF product; while corn, late
potatoes, and tobacco were either blasted
or held at standstill for weeks.
While rains have relieved the c0ndi-
tlon OF these crops, the extent of damage
done is yet considerably matter of CON
lecture, no one seeming to have before
witnessed conditions identical with
those now existing.
The severe dr0uth seems to have been
mainly confined to the following cOun-
ties: Columbia, Crawford Dane, Dodge.
Grant. Green, Iowa, Jefferson, KenOsha,
LA Fayette, Milwaukee, Racine, Richland.
Rock, Sauk, Walw0rth and Waukesha,
and to give better idea of the extent Of
threatened loss, | have considered these
seventeen counties in group with ref
erence to the two important crops
corn and oats.
The percentage Of full crop Of corn
from this stricken district is, by cores
p0ndents, reported at SO.
In 1899, the last obtainable statement
of crops produced, we find that these
seventeen counties produced 295OS. .548
bushels Of corn or approximately two
thirds of the entire crop Of the state.
The acreage of corn the present season
is found to be slightly increased over
that Of 1899, and we find the apparent
loss Of corn crop in the counties enum-
Grated some l2,4G0,G00 bushels.
These same counties in 1899 produced
29,si .,S339 bushels of oats, this being
abOxf "a third of tho oct eFep ef the
st1tt.
The percentage of the crop reported is
50; showing a less Of eats, in comparison
with 1899, Of i0,375, 600 bushels.
In a further consideration of the pres
ent condition Of the corn crop / have di-
yided the remainder Of the state into
two groups of counties, making the pro-
dlctions of upwards Of 100000 bushels
in 1899, the point Of division. In the
second group of counties, numbering 33,
and comprising most Of the remainder
of the state, that is well adapted to Germ
raising, the percentage Of crop shown is
81.
The third group Of twenty counties, all
either new and largely unsettled
located as not to be largely ccrn-pr0-
ducing, reports 95 per cent.
Much interest is centered in the pro-
spective potato crop, both on account of
extensive losses in ether states and from
the conceded Importance of Wisconsin in
potato production.
In 1899, eight counties Adams, Column
bia, Milwaukee, Portage, Sank, Wauke-
sha, Waupaca, Waushara- produced each
over 100000 bushels Of potatoes, or COM
bined, more than One-third of the crop of
the state.
These counties now report the percent
age OF full crop at Y
The three banner potato counties of the
state-Portage, Waupaca and Waushara
in 1899 produced 100000 bushels, OF
approximately One-fOurth the eutire
states crop.
The percentage now reported from
these counties is S6.
From the seventeen counties enum-
Grated as drOuth stricken, farm live stock
has been sold, in large numbers, when
ever the condition would warrant
market, and cattle held are being fed
much as in winter.
More rain is needed to make any
market improvement in pastures. In the
central and northern parts Of the state,
pasturage is generally reported as album
dant.
In southern Wisconsin the necessity
of summer feeding of stock and the con-
sequent shrinkage of winter feed has led
to the cutting of an unusual amount of
wild marsh hay, which is this year of
good quality, and is being secured in
excellent condition.
Special interest, from this time, will
be taken in the development of the crops
OF corn, late potatoes and tobacco.
The corn crop in southern Wisconsin
is late, having been held in check by
drouth. If, as is generally hoped, it may
go on and develop ears, it will need a
warm, favorable August and early Sep
tember to mature its fraction of crop.
The same requirements apply to tobacco.
The apple crop will be exceedingly
light and quality poor.
Following is the summary OF reports
received upon the several crops from COZ
respondents throughout the whole state,
showing estimate of percentage of q full
crop:
Spring wheat ..92
pariay