Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-07-11

There's Danger of Too Much Rain
Corn Improves.

ht "hta] SiOp VI NV ANo
1t stands shows a slight deterioration,
as compared with the general condi.
tions a week ago. The prospective
yield has been lowered in a moderate
degree. principally by the continuation
Of wet weather conditions that are
this time.
Since the seed went into the ground
the Northwest has been favored with
nearly perfect growing weather. The
crop now stands so well as TO indicate
a splendid yield. barring any calami-
tous happening in the shor time now
intervening until harvest. This good
outlook vas foreshadowed by the ia
vorable conditions that prevailed at
seeding time and the period immediate
ly following. The primary indication
Of a bountiful harvest has been main
tanned. every succeeding week showing
the wheat plant holding its own
through the various stages OF develop
ment. The past week has brought the
first evidence OF a turn in the opposite
direction. Since July l the crop has
hardly held to the previously Indicated
high level and, generally speaking. no
further Improvement can be noted,
while in places enough damage has oc-
Cured to bring the prospective yield
a shade under that indicated at This
time last week. This suggests that
whatever favorable reports as to pros
pective returns may have been made so
far, have been based pom the appear.
ance of the crop, standing with the
conditions at the maximum. for the
year. 1t indicates that July l marked
the apex as to general conditions,
that a further gain cannot reasonably
be expected, and that interest from
this time on must center in the posi-
bility of maintaining the crop on the
present level, until 1t is harvested.
This is the most critical time for
wheat. The next week or ten days will
tell the story. AS the situation exists
to-day there is a bountiful yield in
sight. Against it some ~unfavorable in
fluences are arising. Looking over the
whole field there are found some minor
instances of izsury from cut worms,
and local complaints of damage from
| hail and rust. In no instance have
these complaints been sensational, nor
are they widespread, yet, taken col
tectively, they show a considerable area
Of damage.
Grasshoppers are a II in the
Red river valley. Cool weather and the
persistent combative efforts of the
farmers, aided by the growth of a
small parasite that kills h hoppers.
have held dow their development and
prevented serious damage from this
source to date.
Rust and hot winds are TO be feared.
What is needed TO insure the heavy
yield is a period of warm, breezy wealth
er. Still and very hot weather would
be bad, as it would undoubtedly breed
rust.
Most important of all, however. is
the act hat the Northwest does not
want any more rain at this time. Al
ready there has been more than enough
and, In many places, serious damage
has been one by too much rain.
There will be an early harvest this
year. Wheat is now headed out along
he lines of the Northern Pacific and
at some points further north. In South
ern Minnesota the crop is close to ma
turity and 1t is probable harvesting
will begin as early as the 18th in some
localities.
On the whole the Northwest wheat
crop is in a state of maturity beyond
the average for this date.
Corn has shown Improvement and in
general is in better condition than a
week ago.
Barley and oats have held up well
and the promise previously indicated
has been fully maintained.
Spring rye is well along everywhere,
and winter rye will be ready for har-
vest In "a few days. The flax acreage
has suffered from too much moisture
and a lack of sunshine. The develop
ment is uneven and the acreage
spotted. here has probably been LIT
little damage of an i~rreparable nature
and with weather conditions favoring
from now on, flax will show a gain a
week hence.
The hay crop will be very heavy.
The following reports are from we'll
distributed shipping centers through
out the state:
Aberdeen-The general condition OF
the growing crops In the northern tier
Of counties could not be improved upon.
with the exception of corn. much Of
which was so severely il jurcd by frost
that the ground was plowed up and
seeded later TO millet and other fodder.
The outlook on the whole is the best
at this time for ten years. The outlook
for a large yield hereabouts is excel
lent. The country about this point on
every side presents a uniformly good
appearance.
Brookings-Reports from sll portions
Of Bookings county are favorable to
crops in general. In some localities the
late rains nave caused wheat. oats and
barley to lodge to some extent: but the
general result has been favorable, and
corn is considerably in advance of what
it has been at the same date in previ-
Gus years. There is an increased acre
age of corn and a corresponding de-
crease In wheat. Flax Shows a good
growth, but the acreage is diE.tn' lied.
Aside from the late frost. when re-
tarded the corn TO sorae extent, the
season has thus far been all that could
be wished for.
Huron-Crop prospects, in Beadle
county were mover more promising than
now" That Is the only reply one gets
from every farmer. This Is especially
true OF wheat, oats, barley and spring
rye; winter wheat is ripening, ana the
harvesting % this crop will begin in