The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-16
Wheat Probably VIII Turn Out 5O,-
100000 Bushels, Which Is 1S,OOO,-
900 Better than Last Year.
GREAT DEAL OF OATS WET
AND WHEN THE GRAIN Is DAMP 1T
WEIGHS LESS THAN WHEN DRY.
than Year AgO-A1I Fruits
Far short.

From reports received from every town.
ship in the State. with the exception of
one in Owen county, State Staustician B.
F. Johnson is able to give out a general
summary of crop conditions in Indiana,
with estimates as to probable yield and
other facts and figures of general interest.
This is banner year in grain. Mr. Johnson
says, and farmers should reap rich re-
wards for their toll The outlook for
fruits is almost as gloomy grain con-
dltions are bright. Mr.. Johnson made the
following review of conditions yesterday:
Indiana will experience one of the great
est corn years in the decade. Reports in
d1cate a phenomenal crop, except. per-
haps, in four or five counties where ex-
cessive rains spoiled promising growths.
Farts of Newton, Jasper. Porter, Laporte,
Starke and Pulaski counties will have poor
corn. In some parts of these counties the
corn crop was destroyed by deluges Of rain
and windstorms Corn is particularly fine
in Johnson, Benton, Montgomery and other
counties where the ground is high. In fact,
every place in Indiana where corn was
raised on high ground there will be a big
crop; and as most of Indiana corn ground
is high, that means a fine general crop. 1
estimate the average yield to be fifty BUSH
els TO the acre. Last year the yield was
only about twenty bushels, and the COM
parison of the yield is eloquent
"As to wheat, there will be in the neigh
borhood of 5OO0O.OOO bushels. as against
%. ,00Q bnshels last year. j have found
IL necessary, from later and more favor
able reports, to increase my previous esti-
mate of the crop, which was 100000 bush
els. The yield per will be about twen-
ty bushels. Although the wheat crop will
undoubtedly be good, 1t is disappointing
when early expectations are recalled. Car
roll, Clinton, Johnson and Cass counties are
among the counties that report the finest
crops but reports from many other coun-
ties are practically as optimistic Southern
Indiana has excellent wheat this year.
Much wheat has been damaged by the con-
stant rains after being shocked. L would
suggest that farmers stack their wheat
to secure the best results from threshing.
The north half of the State has a good
deal out in shock yet
crop of oats, but, like wheat, the oats crop
has been damaged by the heavy rains.
Most of the loss from rain has been ex-
perienced since the oats were cut. The
present low price of both wheat and oats
is due TO the fact largely that both grains
are in a damp condition and elevator peo-
pie prefer TO handle wet grain. BY ex-
posing wheat and oats in shock the farmer
loses two ways. He suffers in weight and
price Damp grain, contrary to the opinion
of many, is lighter than dry grain and will
not command nearly the price that dry
grain will bring Oats, whenever possi-
BILE, should be stored and held until dry.
The increase in weight and price will more
than repay the farmer for his trouble.
estimate the average yield in oats this year
to be thirty bushels to the acre.
There is an average crop of hay.
Timothy is a little better than the average.
Glover hay suffered great deal from the
excessive rains at the time it was put up.
reports received as to the second growth
of clover. is exceedingly fine. Past ex-
perience, however, inclines me to the be-
lief that the yield of seed will not be so
large as the reports might indicate. Wet
seasons. such as the one we have just ex-
perienced, are very unfavorable to seed
formation.
1.-The yield in potatoes will be immense.
The acreage in Indiana is. comparatively,
not large, since the State is not a potato
State. Farmers in Indiana raise most of
or for limited local trade. The crop will
be far in excess of the crops of previous
years 1t will be 800 per cent. better than
the crop of last year The quality will also
be excellent. Nobody in Indiana should
suffer from a lack of good tubers.
Reports from the melon producing
unusually large and satisfactory in quality
Indiana melons have gained a name for
themselves this year.
There will be a very light crop of apples
not nearly half a crop. The trees bloomed
we'll but failed to set. Wet weather and
insects are responsible in the main for the
disappointing crop of apples. There are no
peaches in Indiana. They were all killed
in the winter. The plum crop is short and
other fruits are scarce. The time has come
in this State. in fruit culture that if farm
ers expect to raise good fruits, they must
resort TO a liberal use of the spray With
out spraying they cannot hope to accom-
plish much. The fruit cultivated scien-
tifcally is not only more satisfactory i'm
quantity. but far better in quality"
Mr.. Johnson is at work on his biennial
report, which is nearing completion. The
report will embody the facts given above