The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-12
IN WHEAT FIELDS.
Floods Have Lessened Demand
for Harvest Hands.
The Conditions as a Whole Are
Improved.
THEY MUST HAVE HELP
Ellis County Asks for 1000
Men.
Barton Thinks That 4, 400 Are
Needed There.
THEY MUST HAVE HELP

Recent reports to the state free en-
ployment bureau bear out the state
ment that the floods have done compare
lively little damage to the wheat crop
when the acreage of the entire state is
taken into consideration. Some counties.
I'm fact, report that conditions have inn
proved and they have increased their
estimate of outside harvest hands need
ed
When the food came T. b. Gerow, di-
rector Of the state employment bureau,
was marooned a his home in Atchison
He got back to Topeka as soon as pos
sible and as soon as the mails commenc-
ed getting through to the wheat belt he
sent out inquiries to the county clerks
asking the extent of damage to the
wheat. If any, and if there are any
changes in the estimate of the number
OF hands needed.
only two or three counties report any
changes Saline lowers its estimate of
hands needed from zoo to 100. Saline
and Dickinson counties were harder hit
by the floods than any other wheat
counties. but Dickinson has not yet
been heard from. as the mails have
only begun to get into Abilene within
the past few days.
On the other hand Pawnee county has
raised its estimate Of hands needed
from 1000 to 1900 and Ellis county
from ] 500 TO 1000. In both of these
counties meetings Of farmers We're held
TO discuss the harvest hand question
and these figures were reached by them.
I'm Ellis county the detailed figures
mounted up to nearly 5000 but the
farmers thought they would rather have
an underestimate than an OVerestimate,
and they therefore made their call for
1000 The following are the summarized
replies received from the county clerks
in the wheat counties heard from.
Ness-Late storms have improved
rather than injured the wheat in this
county Harvest will commence about
July 4. We Will need 200 outside men.
Lane-Ihis county was not hit by the
flood and the wheat crop win be good.
Smith-The condition Of the wheat is
not problematical only as to whether it
will make 80 or 40 bushels per acre.
Smith county never had better pro-
spect FOR small grain. If the weather
continues wet it will add to the extra
men needed. as cultivation of corn viii
necessarily be late Alfalfa viii need
cutting about the same time as wheat
Farmers are already offering fancy
wages for men to pillow corn.
Phillips-There has been no change in
previous conditions The wheat pros
poet is good and hands viii not be too
numerous.
Russell-The rains have made no diff
ference in this county except to make
the harvest later. 1t viii begin about
July 1.
Stanord-There has been no change in
wheat conditions in this county. Har-
vest will begin about June %
Saline-Wheat on the bottom lands is
gone. We viii probably need half the
number Of outside harvest hands pre-
viously reported. or 100 instead of 200.
Sedgwick-We viii still need 500 out
side hands. Harvest Will commence
about June 20.
Pawnee-The farmers Of this county
held meeting recently to consider the
harvest hand question and every part
of the county was represented. We have
raised our former estimate of 1000 out
side hands to 1900.
Harper-Thare is no change in the wheat
situation. We VIII still need at least L.
800 men. Some wheat VIII be cut tbis
week
Rice-Wheat promises an average of Is
bushels per acre for the entire county We
will need the usual number of hands The
estimate is 1.050. (The wheat acreage of
Rice county is about 1900 which. at 10
bushels per acre, would produce 2625.009
bushels)
Standardized is O. X end we VIII
need all the hands we can get Our former
estimate of 600 outside men is not too
large The farmers are uneasy about get
ting harvest hands.
Barton-The number of hands which wiz
be needed in this county was secured by
the assessors and conditions have not
changed since then The number is 4.4o0.
Elisa meeting of farmers was held in
this county to discuss the harvest hand
question and the estimate mas been raised
from 800 to 20o0, and 800 outside teams.