The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-19
THE POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK

rainfall at Williston, Bismarck, Huron,
Moorhead, Minneapolis, Duluth, La Crosse
and North Platte averages .35 inches. The
average June precipitation at these eighth
points for fifteen years has been 1886
inches. A fifteen year average for the
first sixteen days Of June would show 2.02
inches or little more than half the total
for the month, as the rainfall in the early
part of June is usually heaviest. With
.35 inches against 2.02, these eight points
are therefore lacking 1857 inches of the
normal moisture to this time.
Summary of Conditions.
Briefly summarized the crops of the
country stand about as follows:
Winter Wheut---A big crop, possibly the
largest ever raised. is almost secured. Harvest
Ing Is under way in Texas Tennessee, Missouri,
Oklahoma. portions Of Kansas and the Ohio val
ley and in Illinois, Indiana and other forward
states. Over half the total crop is still in a
delicate stage. Dry weather from now on to
facilitate harvesting is the great desiderat um
Spring wheat-An acreage slightly under last
year. but condition very high except in the
territory west of the Red river valley, and south
Of the Canadian line. where 1t is too dry Other
districts also report dry weather, but nothing
very serious. The situation warrants attention
but no apprehension as yet. Good rains within
week will bring full relief.
Rye-About an average area and condition.
Some winter rye was hailed out early along the
river farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but
-
Barley-rAn average promise or slightly better.
The plant doing well in general and bad reports
not numerous.
Flax-An acreage in the northwest now con-
coded to be about 10 per cent under last year.
A plant condition almost perfect. An excellent
promise the whole.
Oats-Backward the country over, with much
improvement recently, but production equal
to last years big yield is now thought to be
unlikely.
Corn-The distinctly bad feature of the general
crop situation Great improvement has recently
been made much reseeding done and early dam
age largely repaired but the crop over large
area is two weeks late and in the most backward
districts is thirty days back Of an ordinary
year, regards plant development.
North Dakota Situation.
Grain men has heretofore hesitated to
accept the reports from North Dakota as
indicating anything serious, but are now
carefully watching the districts around
Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and neigh
boring points.
Charles q. Lewis is covering the terri
tory where the complaints come from,
and this morning wired his house from
Grand forks as follows.
There has been nothing more than sprinkle in
North Dakota during the past twenty four hours,
and up to 8 o'clock this morning I can hear Of
no good rain. It Is partly. cloudy now (1O:3O) at
Fargo and may rain but west and south OF here
it looks like clearing again.
Grain Men VIII Visit Fields.
If no good rain falls to-day or tonight
several local grain men will prepare to
cover the district personally, and should
Saturday be a dry day greater number
will likely go up over Sunday, so that next
week should start with the local grain
trade pretty well informed as to whether
there is really any damage or whether
the nervousness is premature. Meanwhile
a good soaking rain such as the farmers
are praying for would settle the ques-
ton.