The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-24
WATCHING THE SKY
Minneapolis Elevator Men Have
Finally succumbed to the
Wheat Worry.
Cool Weather Is All That Is Pre-
venting Heavy Damage
Now.

The crop situation in the northwest has
held for twenty-four hours between the
uncertainties of probable drought and
the promise of rain relief. The indica-
lions yesterday Were for showers, which
1T was generally hoped would be heavy
enough to wet down the country and
afford at least enough relief to allay the
present nervousness, and carry wheat
along until heavier rains do come. Dis
appointment ruled everywhere this morn
ing over the showing, which was very
unsatisfactory. Rains fell as predicted,
at a great many points, but a majority
were points outside Of the districts need
Ing relief, and within the dry territory
proper the precipitation was SO light as
to be of no great benefit.
The first real anxiety over the situa-
ton began to show this morning in grain
trade circles. Elevator men have been
inclined to pass over the reports from
country points and to make full allow
ance for the natural pessimism of the
farmers: While wheat, on the average
has been in condition. to stand a dry
siege, and the weather predictions from
day to day carried the promise Of rains,
the elevator men have not heretofore
taken the situation very seriously. This
morning all this was changed and even
the most conservative now recognize the
impending danger: Good rains must come
this week or damage will be done.
This morning the local weather report
was for showers tonight and Wednes-
day, and here In Minneapolis the air was
cool and suggestive of rain. This served
to tone down the feeling of alarm that
was beginning to develop, but having
seen similar condition twice recently
without good relief following, the grain
men were not putting too much reliance
upon the promise Of relief, and were
watching the, situation anxiously.
The saving factor in the situation has
been the cool weather. Were it not for
the fact that the nights have been espec-
tally, even upsea.sonably cool, the north
west would even now be in the midst Of
a drought scare. This morning Bis
marck had 81 OF an inch Of rain, the
heaviest showing in the dry district. On
May Is last, Bismarck and the country
for some miles around, had inches Of
rain, and to this and the cool weather
since is due the salvation Of the crop
Aberdeen and the country round about
got less Of a soaking in the May rains
hence the present outlook about Aber-
deem Is worse than at other points.
Elizabeth, Mimi, on the Great Northern,
sent in a sensational report Of damage
which was well authenticated, but as
this point Is III Otter Tail county and
not thoroly typical as a embarrassing
center, the conditions thereabout altho
very alarming, are not to be taken as ipe
dicating conditions in the northwest O.
a whole. @2:&.s
In the rains Of last night besio>sy Ihe
81 Of an inch at Bismarck, thel = was
SO at Pierre, .08 at Huron .02 at Willis
ton land 10 at North Platte, the latter
point too far out to indicate much.
The early reports from Winnipeg,
Grand Forks, Fargo, Casselton, Hilles-
boro, st. Cloud and Comstock were all
Of dry weather, little or noa'rain and
warmer weather general. InqNirr sent
out THIS morning along the 500 line from
Glenwood NORTH brought the followine
replies: ~ ar ,fras51Q se}1FfT j. -
!. G1enwood; 1o:is-acaear sky rea ~.
Elbow Lakeyn no: a0-Cleert and ,ny. :.E.s i.15
Hankinson 10 :15-7Clear and dry. ~
Enderlin 1G:15-Clear.
Valley City. 1920 Clear andswarmer. y
Kensai, O:2o-Clear and COOL i -; -
+ siinots 10 :40-Nos rain but cloudy ant cool,
Al above.
49,. Portal, 10:15-Cloudy and so above; looks
like it may blow up shower. -r@t- 80 AZ: