The Washburn leader., 1901-07-13
CRITICAL FoR WHEAT.
there's Danger Of Too Much Rain
Corn Improves.


Corn Improves.
The wheat crop Of the Northwest as
It stands shows slight deterioration,
as compared with the general condi-
tions week ago. The prospective
yield has been lowered in a moderate
degree. principally by the continuation
Of wet weather conditions that are
more unfavorable than otherwise at
this time.
Since the seed went into the ground
the Northwest has been favored with
nearly perfect growing weather. The
crop now stands 80 well as to indicate
a splendid yield, barring any calami-
tous happening in the short time now
intervening until harvest. This good
outlook was foreshadowed by the Ia
vorable conditions that prevailed at
seeding time and the period immediate
ly following. The primary indication
of bountiful harvest has been main
tained, 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 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 yleid
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 upon the appear
ance of the crop, standing with the
conditions at the maximum for the
year. It indicates that July 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 possi-
bility Of maintaining the crop on the
present level, until it 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 1t some unfavorable In
fluences are arising. Looking over the
whole field there are found some minor
instances Of injury 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
lectively, they show considerable area
of damage.
Grasshoppers are menace in the
Red river valley. Cool weather and the
persistent combative efforts of the
farmers, aided by the growth Of
small parasite that kills the hoppers,
have held down 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 fact that 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 done by too much rain.
There will be an early harvest this
year. Wheat is now headed out along
the 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 state of maturity beyond
the average for this date.
Corn has shown improvement and In
general is in better condition than
week ago.
Barley and oats have held up we'll
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 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. There has probably been but
little damage Of an irreparable nature
and with weather conditions favoring
from now on, fax will show 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:
Pembfna-In this vicinity there has
been all the rain that was needed, and
at points near by there has been far
too much, with the result that some
thousands Of acres are flooded and
much damage has been done. On the
fail plowing the outlook at this time is
very favorable, but on the spring plow-
ing the outlook is poor and there is +
marked unevenness. In many places
fully one-half Of the wheat did not
start until after the rains OF three
weeks ago, and this much Of It will be
too late to mature with that that has
an earlier start. With favorable wealth.
er from now on the wheat on spring.
plowed land will yield about half
crop. The heaviest rain, Of the season
fell here July 2, filling the bitches with
water and in many places covering tho
fields. In this immediate vicinity there
will be no serious damage but near
Hamilton, Cavalier and Bathgate thou
sands OF acres were flooded and will be
practically worthless. Four miles south
east Of Neche one man lost $50 acres.
His place is almost a lake. More rain
at this time can only do great damage.
Devils Lake The crop outlook Tor
wheat IN this section never was better.
The numerous rains OF late have some
what retarded the growth Of fax, but
if we have q few weeks Of warm wealth
Ser the damage resulting from the ex-
treme wet spell will be very little.
Other grains are looking fine. and the
hay crop will beat all past records. Z
S Crop condi ditionss on the
s Missouri slope are equal to any ever
1nx