Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-15

The following special crop bulletin for
March, covering the entire state OF
Illinois, has been issued by the United
States weather bureau:
The month of March has been ex,
ceptionally favorable for the starting and
growth of vegetation and for carrying on
spring farming operations, and the
situation at the end of the month is
decidedly favorable. Advantage has
been taken of the favorable conditions
for farm work, and it has been pushed
rapidly. The latter part of the month
was unseasonably warm, and except for
a few days about the middle of the
month, the rest of the month was
moderately warm. Good rains occurred
during the month over the greater part
of the state, but these have not inter
rupted farm work to any considerable
extent. They have, however, put the
ground in excellent condition for tillage,
rendering it highly friabls, and have
furnished sufficient moisture for the
present needs of vegetation, except IN a
few localities. In some parts of the
southern district the rains during the
latter part of the month have been heavy
and have made the ground too wet to
permit plowing to be done for a few
days. Over large part of the state the
rains, though giving sufficient surface
moisture, have not moistened the ground
to any considerable depth, and still more
rain is needed.
The condition of wheat in the northern
district has not undergone much change.
Though in few localities it is reported
not TO be doing well, in general spring
growth is starting nicely, and the out
look continues favorable. In the central
district the wheat prospects are now
generally excellent, considerable i'm
provement having resulted from the
favorable weather during March. In a
few localities, however, the condition of
the crop is only fair, while in few
others il is reported to be poor. While
in few localities in the southern district
the previous uufavorable condition of
the crop continues, there has in general
been decided improvement during the
past month, and in many localities the
have become very favorable.
At many places where the crop was
TO be almost entirely destroyed
the warm weather and good rains have
started a fair growth. In some localities
the plant looks fairly promising, but is
short. while more rain is needed at some
places. As rule the crop is in a more
nnfavorable condition in the eastern
than in the western portion OF the
southern district. In some localities a
portion of the crop will be plowed up
and the land devoted TO other crops. In
general il may be said that the condition
Of the wheat crop at the close of March
shows a decided improvement over its
condition at the close of February. The
condition of rye in the northern district
IS reported to be fairly good TO fine, and
in the central district is generally re-
ported to be fine.
The latter part of March has been ex-
,eptionally favorable for the seeding of
rye, except in parts of the southern
district, where this work has been de-
ayed by rain and wet ground, and a
great deal of this grain has already been
seeded. In few localities in the cen
raj and southern district this work has
practically been completed, while at a
lew places in the southern district the
plant has appeared above the ground.
While in some localities meadows, es-
Decially those newly seeded, are in an
infavorable condition, having been badly
damaged by both cold and dry weather,
rs rule they are now starting a
,ery good growth and the present
seem favorable. More rain is
needed, however, for this crop. Glover
seems TO have suffered more from the
severe winter weather than timothy.
Pastures are generally greenipg up
nicely, but they also need rain in some
localities.
Gardening is now in progress through
,ut the greater part of the state, both
he weather and condition of the soil
being favorable for this work. Potato
planting has also begun, and in some
D.rts of the southern district the crop OF
Early potatoes has all been planted.
While the peach prospects are poor
,yer most of the state, it is believed that
n some localities, especially in the
southern district, sufficient number OF
buds to produce fair crop were unln-
iured by the severe cold of the past win
Ter. The prospect for other fruits
seems favorable, though some small
fruits were injured in localities.
As rule stock is now in fair to good
though in some localities,
owing TO the scarcity of feed, 1T looks
.hin.-Globe-D Democrat.