Evening star., 1901-07-13
THE HEAT BLlGHTS CROPS
LITTLE PROSPECT OF RESPITE IN
TORRID BELT.
It Exteads From Dakota to the South
Atlantic States-Many
Pr0ntratiOna.

No rain fell yesterday IN any part OF the
drought-stricken district. Including all OF
Kansas. western Missouri, Oklahoma and
Indian territory. Over much Of that region
it was the worst day Of the long hot spell.
the temperature being more than 100 de-
grees, and no breeze stirring.
A Kansas City dispatch says: Corn. oats.
hay aud potatoes are 50 badly injured that
even with rain the yield will be short. and
as tho weather bureau gives no hope OF re-
lief. the outlook is discouraging. At some
places in Kansas there has been no rainfall
whatever for nearly three months. The
present is the worst drought since 1890.
when New England sent food to the set
tiers of Kansas. However. Kansas farmers
are harvesting one OF the largest crops OF
wheat In the history OF the state. A great
many counties send word that with rain
corn VIII be half a crop: without rain soon.
no yield. A few say there Is yet hope for
fair harvest.
Hay is selling for $40 ton-one cent a
pound-the highest price ever reached in
this market. This is almost as much,
pound for pound, as wheat is worth. Re-
cetptS were very small.
In numerous places there is no pasturage.
and owners of cattle are shipping hay to
their farms. Alfalfa has yielded well every
where and will be the salvation Of many
farmers.
During the past five days 10000 nogs
have been received at the stock yards,
breaking all records. These heavy ship
ments- are due to the scarcity of corn. In
Audrain county, Mo-, young calves worth
50 few days ago are offered at 81 head.
BliEhting Heat in Missouri.
1t was the hottest day ever experienced
in the southwestern part of Missouri In
Kansas City for four hours during the
afternoon the government thermometer
registered 1O3 degrees. while the mercury
81, 11n
suffering has resulted, especially among
the poor. There were five prostrationS in
Kansas City; none so far fatal
At Joplin 105 degrees was reported At
Springfield 104 was recorded, the highest
in the history of the signal service there,
and four prostrations were reported.
Telegraphic reports from various pOr-
tionS of Nebraska indicate that the hopes
Of a big corn crop have been blighted, and
spring wheat and range grass districts are
materially damaged. Oats will be almost a
complete failure. The central and eastern
sections of the state have Jared better than
the western half. but they also are suffer-
ing from the excessive heat
In the southwestern part of the state
the chinch bug and grasshopper have done
much damage
The thermometer reached 104 in Omaha
yesterday and ranged from 100 to 107
throughout the state
dispatch from Mitchell, 8. D., yester-
day says: A hot wind swept over this sec
y,
effect on wheat. Competent judges place
the damage done to wheat from this cause
at from II to 10 per cent. The tempera-
ture by the government thermometer this
evening was 1O4 but it is much cooler to-
night.
The government thermometer at Des
Moines. Iowa, showed a temperature of los
at 2:30 yesterday afternoon. the highest Of
the year. Director Sage Of the weather
crop service says that because Of the alb
normal amount of moisture in the
ground prior to the hot spell the Iowa corn
crop has suffered about per cent, and he
does not consider serious damage fmmi-
nent. even though the hot spell should con-
tinue for several days.
Abnormal Heat in the South.
Yesterday was the warmest day OF the
year in the central southern states. Many
places In west Tennessee. Arkansas. north
Mississippi. Louisiana. Alabama and Texas
report all heat records broken during the
afternoon. In Memphis the official report
was 1O2 degrees at o'clock, the highest
temperature ever recorded there.
Selma, Ala, was the warmest place in
the south. 112 degrees being recorded.
Montgomery reported 105 and Mobile 102
At Little Rock, Ark. the highest tenn
perature ever recorded was officially re-
ported, 1O8 degrees.
Pine Bluff, Ark, reported the warmest
day on record with one fatality.
In Mississippi the heat was intense. At
Jackson Vicksburg and Natchez all rec
ords were broken. Crops, especially corn,
all through north and east Mississippi are
drying up.
Louisiana Is also in the throes OF the
hot wave Shreveport reports the hottest
day in its history.
Higher Prices for Farm Products.
A dispatch from Chicago says: The long
continued dry hot weather has already
caused a dearth, and Is rapidly creating
a prospective famine in farm products.
Potatoes are $50 per cent higher than
year ago, when new early Ohios sold from
q to % cents a bushel. They are now 20
cents to a dollar. Green corn is 100 per
cent higher. Dealers could then buy it for
25 and 80 cents bushel. They are now
required to pay so and 60 cents. New
cabbage at this time last year could be
houeht at 81 per hundred. The price Is