The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-05-13
same time feel that their work for the
party has not been appreciated.
WHEAT CROP TO BE SHORT.
H. v. Jones Lays Before the Public
Interesting Information.
From Wednesdays Daily.

Il
at seems now that eight winter
| wheat states will produce about 60,O0O,-
900 bushels of wheat less than last year,
which is very important shortage in
| that it diminishes the wheat supply of
the United States millers, and will
handicap them for next years work"
says H. V. Jones, interviewed in New
York by The Wall Street Journal
"The United States raised large
wheat crop in 1908, but the increase of
population made it possible to dispose
of it easily and bring to the producer
the highest price realized since the Lei
| ter year.
"Last fall winter wheat was sown
late, owing to unfavorable weather con-
ditions, which did not give the plant
its usual start before winter set in. The
more southern districts were without
moisture practically all winter. The
snowfall was light and ice sheets cover
ed much of the area. This seemed to
/ have smothered the wheat so that in the
Ohio valley especially much of it was
winter killed, and the cold spring pre-
vented the plant making any growth be-
fore May l.
''Western Texas, which includes the
Panhandle, and western Oklahoma have
been without rain for nearly year. The
, wheat did not terminate, and that whole
section of the country is without any
crop prospect whatever. Eastern Ohio
and central Texas have very good pros
t pect at the moment, but the plant is
, more or less affected on account of the
lack of a normal amount of moisture.
kansas was the banner wheat state
last year, raising above 90,0O0,0OO BUSH
els, and this year Kansas promises bet
ter than was anticipated thirty days
ago. With a continuance of good rain,
falls over this territory, the state can
produce fine crop of wheat this year,
, as much as 100000 bushels. It
must undergo one risk, however, be-
sides lack of moisture, and this is an
early summer. If hot weather comes in
/ May it may force the plant to early
maturity, giving short straw and a
. short head. This would reduce the yield
from these figures.
SIN Nebraska and Missouri we find
, conditions about at a level with last
year. Missouri being possibly little
i better. Kentucky and Tennessee hold
about even with last year, but in all
this territory it will be understood that
the wheat plant is in danger from hot
weather.
/ ''In the Ohio valley conditions are the
most unfavorable for several states, In
! diana, Michigan and Ohia being especial
| ly hurt as to the yield of wheat. Farm
ers are blowing up wheat lands and re-
sowing to oats and planting corn. The
yield of wheat in the Ohio valley will
probably, at the best, not exceed one
half that raised year ago. Pennsyl-
vania promises smaller yield than last
year. Maryland and the Virginias are
holding their own much better than the
western states.
''The Pacific coast will show apparent
| ly a considerable increase in production
of wheat over last year, but, while this
will figure in the total crop for the
country and help the comparative show,
it will not remedy the shortage east of
the Rockies. Pacific coast wheat goes
entirely into coast consumption and
orient and European export, The Pa.
cific yield last year was short. This year
promises to be normal.
Taking it on the WHOLE" says Mr..
Jones, "the country's wheat yield will be
from 100000 to 100000 bushels less
than last year, depending on weather
conditions. The spring wheat is just be-
4 ing sown and is in favorable condition. -
i