The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-12
PACIFIC
CROP REPORTS SHOW
BETTER CONDITIONS
They indicate an Average Yield
Throughout the Northwest
Weather Good for Wheat, but
Too Cool for Corr and Flax
Harvest Next Week.

an average crop throughout the North
west according to the Northern Pacific
crop report issued yesterday. The re-
cent cool weather has been excellent
for the maturing of wheat. the heads
being unusually heavy for the height of
the straw, and the kernels being full
and plump
There are, of course, exceptions, no.
tably on the main line east and south
of Staples. and on the ST Paul & Du-
luth division, where chinch bugs and
heavy rains have damaged the crop.
The weather has been too cool for
corn and fax, but there is still time for
sufficient improvement to give a fair
yield. Barley and oats are ripening,
and the general report is an excellent
crop Harvesting will begin in most
places this week. There has been too
much rain for potatoes and hay.
The Northern Pacific has never taken
Northwest this year. and from the
tenor of the reports received thus far
this year believes that there will be al
most an average crop.
|. I believe we will haul about as much
grain as last year." said Vice President
Hannford, of the Northern Pacific. a
few days ago in discussing the crop
situation. Il should not be disappoint-
ed if it were little less. but 1 have
never seen any reason for the fear that
the crop would be unusually poor
MY experience is that when from
the beginning of the season there is a
large variety of reports. a hail storm
here, poor crops here, and good crops
here. there is usually an average crop.
When everyone is predicting a bumper
crop, look out. 1t is likely to be q
straw crop. Look at the bumper Ne
braska and Kansas crops this year.
There is too much straw. If conditions
are just right, when the straw is tall
and heavy. large heads may develop
and produce a wonderful crop. But
there is a great deal of risk, and too
often there is a great deal of straw and
very little grain.
"One of the best wheat crops [ ever
saw stood only about eighteen inches
high There was almost no straw. but
the heads were heavy and well filled.
The straw is not tall or heavy this
year, but I think there will be good
average yield of grain. and that is
what We are after
The report in detail reads:
Minnesota DiviSion-Main line east and
south of Staples-Heavy rains, strong
winds. severe storms, chinch bugs. and
cool weather has not been beneficial to
crops in general. Corn and potatoes not
doing we'll Will take late fall for ripen-
ing, and hot weather besides, and will be
damaged by chinch bugs after grain is
l..
yield about one-third to the acre as last
year. Hay not doing so well on account
too much moisture. General condition
east of Staples more favorable for fair
Yield of efain,-ffay and-potatOeS Har-
veSting delayed account rains.
Staples to Moorhead-Excellent weather
for maturing grain. Harvesting will be
quite general about the 10th inst. Bar
ley nearly all cut. Indications are for
good crop of wheat and oats, also late
potatoes.
nearly every day the past week has re-
suited in considerable damage to the
crops. Large acreage of potatoes has
been planted, but farmers are feeling dis
fearing potatoes will rot in the ground.
Unless hot weat Their sets in within ten
days, outlook is not favorable. Hayng
at standstill, meadows flooded In some
places farmers cannot get their binders
to the fields to harvest the crops.
Little Falls and Dakota Branch-Wheat
crop not as favorable as expected. Chinch
bugs doing some damage Around Burt
rum farmers are cutting green wheat to
save it. Weather good for maturing
grain. Haying at standstill account rains
the past week Oats ripeninS and Will
yield thirty to forty bushels to acre. Bar
ley harvested, average of twenty bushels
to the acre.
Fergus Falls and Black Hills Branch
Weather very favorable for wheat. Az
erage will be short fifteen bushels to
acre Some places twenty bushels; Har-
VeSting commences this week. All grain
made gains. Cool weather not favorable
for corn Barley all cut. Potatoes not
as good as expected, but will be good
crop.
Red River Valley Branch-Favorable
weather greatly improved all grain. es-
pecialIy wheat Average crop expected,
and in some sections more than average
crop is expected. Harvesting will be in
full blast this week Barley, good crop; 40
to 80 bushels to the acre. Oats, 80 to 60
bushels to the acre. Quality good. Flax
not doing well.
Fargo & Southwestern Branch-Very ia
vorable weather for grain, especially
wheat, which is doing splendidly. Har-
vesting will be in full blast this week.
Barley fair average.
Casseton Extension-Very favorable
weather for ali grain. Wheat well fl He'd
and good heads. Fine crop. Some Sec
tions expect better yield than last year.
Heavy rain and hail first part of week did
no damage. Harvesting under way.
CooperStoWn Branch-Rain was bene-
fetal and greatly improved the crops.
Grain filling nicely. Fair crops expected.
jamestown & Northern Branch-Rains
during past week improved crops, al
though wheat will not average over 6 to 10
sown wheat. Light frost did no damage.
Mandan to Dickinson-Not much change
since last week Wheat will be about one
half crop. Yield of grain will be light.
Montana-Crops generally in good condi-
ton; grasshoppers doing considerable
damage to ranges.
Idaho, Washington and Oregon-Har-
vesting general. Some threshing done;
quality good and weather favorable.