The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-01-10
Public Health.


Notwithstanding the prevalence of
smallpox in exceedingly mild form in the
spring months the health Of the people
has been excellent, and the death rate
very low, only ~ per thousand.
Among the notable deaths of the year
was that of Rev. James II. Kyle, United
States senator who died at his home in
ing his second term III the senate at the
time of his death.
on July Sth Gov. Herried appointed
Hon. Albert b.. Kittredge of Sioux Falls
to finish the unexpired term of Senator
Kyle. which ends March 4, 1908.
The Weather.
The year has been free from any storms
of exceptional severity. The winter
months We're mild and open with little
snow, permitting stock to range through
out the year and to come out in excellent
condition. The owe temperature noted
was p deg. below at Pine Ridge or Feb
ruary 18TH. while at Academy on January
2Sth it was 63 deg. above. The mean tenn
perature for January, in the state at
large, was II deg. above, and for Febru-
airy 16 deg. above. The normal mean
temperature for these months is about ID
deg. above. The average normal precipi-
tation in South Dakota is about 20 inches.
The figures are of course not vet available
for the entire year, but up to the pres
ent the rainfall exceeds the normal
slightly. The growing months were quite
normal. April, May. u and July, the
wheat-growing months. gave 11.SJ, and
August, which natures the corn crop,
brought the total up to 14.6 inches
The one phenomenal feature Of the
years weather was a prolonged period of
unusual heat in the month of July. The
mean was 7S,2 deg. or 6 deg. above notr-
NAL. Th period extended from the 9th
to the oath. Temperature OF 1GG degrees
was recorded on 1G successive days. 1t
should be noted that this was not peculiar
to Dakota alone, but we were specially
favored, the mean here being 80 lower
than at Des Moines.
1t is a marvel that crops should have
withstood the effects of this terrific and
prolonged heat, but South Dakota was
well fortified against it by copious June
rains, and again the latter portion of the
month and August brought weather eX-
ceadingly favorable to crop making, and
we come out of the experience. if net
unframed. at least much less injured,
than any other of the states in the Up
per Mississippi Valley.
The last frost in the spring fell on May
14th. The first in the autumn on the 16tn
of September.
The Crops.
Except as to corn and potatoes, the
yield of which are far below normal, this
has been al average crop year in the
state. Wheat on July 5th promised a
yield surprising all records, but the ex-
treme heat of the next twenty days,
which wrought such injury to the crops
of the Mississippi Valley states. though
less severe here than further east. re-
duced both the quality and quantity of
the yield. The acreage aggregated $685.
900 acres, and the yield averages 111b per
acre, or approximately thirty-nine million
bushels. Owing to local conditions the
yield is variable, some sections running
as high as 80 bushels 1t is difficult to
determine the exact average price paid
at the elevators of the state for the wheat
of this crop, owing to the range in quail
ity and other qualifying circumstances,
but extensive inquiry j~ustifies the state
ment that 81 cents per bushel is a fair
average, making the crop worth on the
home market $50, OO0, 900.
In the Corn Belt.
Corn is the next important cereal Gull
tivated in South Dakota. and this year
1,3O9, 900 acres We're devoted to this crop.
The hot weather Was particularly severe
upon corn coming as it did when the
blossom was forming and effecting the
fertilization of the ears. NeN ertheleSS, a
fair crop of good quality has been har-
vested. Experienced farmers have found
in the field, and at the date of this writ
lHS INOVSlAUeT IoIH) muCn remains I'M
husked. However, enough is in the crib
to justify the statement that the yield
in the state at large is twenty-five BUSH
els, while the southern counties will turn
ont thirty-tive bushels. The yield is
therefore 80, 725. 900 at an averag e of for
ty-five cents has brought to the pro-
ducers Sl4,426,2JO. The corn crop for the
entire United States is reported at 16.S.
The crop of oats is of far greater i'm
portance and magnitude than is usually
comprehended. This year South Dakota
has devoted $4,000 acres to this cereal.
and has produced II, 67O,O 600 bushels, nav
ing a cash value of S5,S31, 100.
Barley has been the most perfect crop
of the year. Every condition seemed
right for it. and the product is large and
of fine quality, especially adapted for
mailing. Yields as high as fifty-three
bushels per acre nave come under the
personal observation of the writer, and
IN placing the average as low as thirty-
three bushels per acre appears unduly
conservative. The yield from the 1O4. 900
acres on that basis is 1882, 600 bushels
worth 81, 400 in the local market.
BY reason OF the excellent market, flax
has proved profitable to the producer.
though the yield has fallen below the av-
erage. The acreage too has fallen off
from previous years. -FOUR hundred thou
SAND acres have been given over to it's
ASAoiH6 &sCUO,OOV DuSnelS worth
49, 61 100.
Potatoes which in other years have
weathered every hardship have this year
approximated a failure, although some
sections, particularly the upper James
valley, has had q fair crop. The IS. 600
acres, however, devoted to potato gro wing
have produced ZOO, 600 bushels worth az
home $1,65O, OOO.
The hay and fodder crop is frst-ciass
IN quality and yield, r the unusual
demand has induced exceptional quanti-
ties TO be harvested and preserved. OF
all the productions OF the state no other
one Is so hard to estimate as the fodder
crop, and in the judgment Of this writer
1t has always been u~ndervalued In nv
review of the states productions one year
ago | relied upon approximates made by
the department Of agriculture and placed
the value at $S,OOO,O 600. / felt then, and
still feel that this was much too little. I
nave made extensive inquiry since then
among farmers. stock growers and 9TH
ers having special knowledge upon the
subject, and conclude that the whole
state considered the fodder crop as NOT
less valuable than the corn crop, but in
view of the inability to exactly deter
mine 1t, place it this year at $40, 500. 600.
which certainly Is within safe bounds.
Live stock.
The live stock industry hos ccrtsr,.,