Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-07-12
State Crop Report.
JULY 1902.

| The cool, wet weather, during the
month of June, was specially adapted t(
| the strong and healthful growth OF
small grains and grasses.
Little rust or smut is reported, and nc
mention made Of ravages of chinch bugs
in winter grains.
The only probability of danger t(
grain crops, especially that of oats, il
that upon rich soils, so large growth
Of straw may be gained as to result III
early lodging. Indeed many fields OF
oats are already badly lodged before
heading. and cannot be counted upon
for a full yield of grain. Barley, while
also lodged, is further advanced, anC
premises crop equal to the percentage
reported below, while fear that the re-
port for August l, upon oats, may fall
below present indications.
A heavy crop of winter grains is now
practically assured; and spring wheat Is
also very promising.
| Central and northern Wisconsin have
an exceptionally heavy tame hay crop,
| that is now ready for the mower.
Most clover fields should have been
cut before this time, and undoubtedly
would have been, had the weather been
| favorable for curing the crop.
Most hay that has been more or less
injured by rain, and loss is also occur
| ring. to standing grass, from over rlpen-
| ing, and rOtting at the bottom.
In southern Wisconsin there is little
clover,-June grass and timothy being
the prevailing grasses.
These'have made luxuriant growth,
but in many localities are thin upon the
ground, so that no more than an aver
age crop of tame hay will be secured.
Pastures are universally reported in ex-
cellent condition, and live stock is thriv-
ing finely.
The weather during the month has been
unfavOrable for corn; and while good
stands were usually secured, the plants
have not grown while lack Of vigor has
made tnem more susceptible to the ra-
wages of cut worms and grubs, of which
we have much complaint.
July and August make the corn
crop" but these months must be hotter
and drier than June has been, if we are
to have an average corn crop.
Potatoes are generally reported In av-
erage condition, though some complaint
Of poor stand, caused by too much wet
and rOtting seed, comes from the north
ern part of the state.
Tobacco plants have been set under
the best conditions. but are net growing
rapidly, and cut worms have somewhat
interfered with the stand.
The crop needs warm weather. COndi-
| ton is reported more favOrably from
Rock, Dane and Columbia counties than
from Vernon, Crawford and Monroe.
In the section of the state where the
crops are specialized, beans, flax, sugar
beets, buckwheat are reported in aver
age condition; while sorghum, like corn
is small and backward.
The cool, wet spring and early sum
mer has already blasted the hopes Of a
heavy apple crop in Wisconsin.
Much of the young fruit has fallen
while blight is unusually prevalent, in
iuring both fruit and trees.
The estimated percentage OF apples as
given below is surprisingly low.
Plums, cherries and grapes, like
apples, will be less than an average
crop.
While the temperature was danger
Ously near the freezing point, several
times in June no very serious
damage to crops, from frost, is reported,
even from the northern counties.
Southwestern Wisconsin reports hail
and wind storms, seriously damaging
crops and even buildings.
| Orr farmers are now as anxious for
sunshine and hot weather, as year ago,
they were for rain and refreshing breez
es.
Below we give the consensus OF re-
ports received from correspondents
throughout the state, of the various
crops July LOO standing for ali aver
age of Wisconsin crop.