The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-21
Governor Stanley Thinks They
Are Gone Never to Return.
Recent Rains Have Meant Much
to Kansas.
REVIEWS CONDITIONS.
Agriculture Is Becoming Much
More Diversified.
Farmers in Condition to Hold
Their Crops.

Governor W. E. Stanley has been trav-
cling over Kansas speaking at various
meetings. From what he has seen he
holds an optimistic view of the cOndi-
tons of the state. He thinks that the
hard times are gone never. to return,
Governor Stanley's views regarding
the state are as follows:
THE recent rains, which have been
very copiouS and quite general over
the state, have soaked the soil so thor
oughly as to insure the maturity OF all
of the corn uniniuAed by the dry ana
hot weather in some parts OF the state
since the first of August. 1t also IN
sures an abundant crop of late alfalfa
and will greatly revive the pastures
which were seriously affected by the
dry and hot weather, which has been
general throughout the state during the
last two weeks. On the first day of
August, everything was favorable for
a large yield of corn and many thought
the yield would exceed the remarkable
harvest of 1885, when we gathered in
round nun bers 274, 900 900 bushels, worth
at the then market price $52, 600, 900. The
nearest the state ever reached that re-
markable yield was in 1899 when We
produced more than 225, 100000 bushels.
This had a greater value, however, than
the harvest of 1889, by nearly $1,000, 600.
Soon after the first of August. in
the western portion of the corn belt.
hot winds prevailed for two or three
it is safe to say we will scarcely harvest
more than 2O0,0OO,00O bushels. The
crops. however. are SO far secure that
it is reasonably certain that the year
1902 will be one of the best average
years, both in quantity and value, that
the state has ever had. The average
yield of wheat for the last ten years
has been in round numbers 100000
bushels; the average price, SIG, 000,0 0O
A fair estimate of this years crop puts
it at 100000 bushels. which at the
present price would give value of
$21, 000, 900. but 100000 less than the
The average annual crop of corn for
the same period has been 143, 0O0,0 900
bushels; average price, $36,000,000. Es-
innate the present yield at 200, 900 600
bushel (and it can hardly go so low ana
this gives US a value of this years
crop of .$60,000,000 or $24,000,000 more
than the average value for the last ten
years. Taking the average value of
wheat and corn together, we have an
average value for the La ten years
of $4,000 900 against the value this year
of ss1 .0O0. 900.
1.-THE quantity of Irish potatoes raised
in Kansas last year was but little more
than 100000 bushels The acreage this
year is somewhat larger than before
and the yield is enormous. The largest
crop of potatoes heretofore raised in
Kansas was in 1899 when the yield was
to say that we will have 10000, 900 bush
els this year and while the price per
bushel will be low as COMPARED with
last years prices. the aggregate value
will be much larger.
Owing to the dry summer. the yield
last year of forage crops such as sor-
gum, milo maize. kaffir corn, clover. al
falfa and other grasses was very small
The yield this year will be unDrece-
dented. The prairie hay and the Sec
ond and third cuttings of alfalfa are of
the very best quality.
What has been said of forage plants,
potatoes and corn, can also be said Of
all of the other crops, except wheat. a
statement of the condition, yield, and
value of which I have attempted to
give
1.-THE value of livestock products last
year was unprecedented. being but lit
tie less than STE. 1000 as against $751;
100000 for any preceding year. The in
creased value in these products was
largely owing to the shortage of feed
resulting from the long continued
drought, which compelled many of the
stock men to sell their livestock at a
sacrifice and while the quantity sold
this YEAR will be II UGH less tlaa last
year the prices are very much higher
an0 :Iany of the stock men believe that
the value of the Or oducts put upon the
market will equal to or exceed that of
last year.
<aHolHeI ldVOTdDle cOuultlOl as COLI
pared with last year is that the live
stock of the state is in splendid condi-
ton The herds upon the ranges and
the smaller punches held throughout The
state are in excellent condition. while
at this time last year, they were in poor
condition ON account of a shof tage of
feed.
1.-The largest value realized for the
corn and wheat crops during auy one
year in the last ten was in 1900 when
the aggregate value was about $81. Co.,
000 which will be equalled by this years
production.
1.-THE old times of hardship, privation
and depression which have heretofore
visited Kansas are gone and confident
~ hope never to return. Agriculture is
becoming more and more diversified.