The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-12
MONTHLY CROP REPORT
IMPROVEMENT IN CORN IN IMPOR-
TANT NORTHERN STATES.
Southern States Show Declines-COn-
ditiOns of Wheat, Oats and Hay
Feir Apple Crop Is Expected.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-THE monthly
report of the statistican of the Department
of Agriculture shows the condition of
corn Aug. l to have been $50. as COM
pared with SIS on July /, 1902, 81 on Aug.
l, 1901, SIS at the corresponding date in
1900. and a ten-year average of 81. There
has been an improvement during the month
of 10 points in Pennsylvania. I in Indiana
and Wisconsin. 4 in Ohio, Illinois and Kan
sas, 3 in Iowa and IL in Nebraska. This sub
stantial improvement in the most impor-
tant corn States would undoubtedly have
resulted IN a marked Improvement in the
average for the entire country, but for the
fact that fourteen Southern States contain
ing 36.S per cent. OF the total corn acreage,
shows an average decline during July of
1O.7 points.
The statistican estimates the winter
wheat crop at about $4,000. 900 bu, or an
average of 1873 per acre. While this esti-
mate is subject TO revision, threshing not
being sufficiently advanced in the more
nOrtherly section of the Wisconsin wheat
belt TO justify the making Of a final and def
mite estimate at this time, it is based on
reports Of yield per acre, in bushels, re-
ceived from correspondents and special
field agents. If the estimate is higher
than was indicated by previous reports of
condition. it is due to the fact that the crop
is turning out somewhat better than was
expected. The estimated average yield for
Indiana is 10 bu; Ohio, 16; and Illinois 1876.
The average condition Of spring wheat on
Aug. l was 1871, as compared with 92.4 last
month, 500 on Aug. l, 1901, 56.4 at the cor
responding date in 1900, and a ten-year GSe-
rage of so.
The average condition of oats was Ss.4,
against 92.1 last month, 1876 on Aug. l,
1901, 50 at the corresponding date in 1900,
and a ten-year average of S2.2. There
has'Oeer an improvement of l point in In
diana. 5 points in New York, I in Pennsyl-
vania and s in Ohio.
On the other hand there has been a de-
cline of l point In Michigan and Minnesota,
Nebraska and Il in Iowa. The proportion
of the oats crop of last year still in the
hands of the farmers is estimated at Az
per cent, as compared with SO per cent. of
the crop of 1900 in farmers hands one year
ago and 6s per cent. of the crop Of 1899 in
farmers hands two years ago.
The average condition of potatoes i'm
proved 1.9 points during July and on Aug. l
it was 32.5 points higher than at the cor
responding date last year, SO higher than
on Aug. !, 1900, and Ill points above the
mean of the August averages for the past
ten years.
Preliminary returns indicate an increase
of IL per cent. in the hay acreage. OF the
eleven States moving 100000 acres or up
ward last year, six report increase and five
reduced acreage. The condition of timothy
hay has improved 81 points during July
and is AS points above the mean of the
August averages for the past eight years.
Reports as TO the coalition of clover are,
on the whole, unfavorable, the percentages
in the principal States. as compared with a
full crop. being as follows: New York, 80;
Kentucky. 81; Michigan, 100; Indiana, SO;
Illinois. So; Wisconsin, Sc; Minnesota, 81;
Ohio, So, and Iowa, 50. In point Of quality
the crop is below that of last year and also
below the ten-year average in all but the
three States of principal production.
Notwithstanding the fact that there has
been a decline in the condition Of apples as
compared with last month in many States,
reports on this fruit from nearly all i'm
portant States indicate that more than an
nrrnrnnn nrnn mill hn hnrHncfnl