Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-19
stitz Way Reports an Average
Crop In Spite of
Frost
HALF OF 1T HARD AND SOUND
Yield is So Large That Regardless of
What Late Corn Is Soft There Will
be an Abundance of Feed-other
Grains Have Been Heavy and High
in Price.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to imes-Republican.
Wesley, Sept. 19.--1n response to a
letter of inquiry regarding northern
Iowa crops Mr.. S. X. Way, president of
the First National Bank, CT Wesley,
and a large land owner has written the
following which will be good news to
all interested in the northern Iowa
business situations
Dear Sir: Replying to your letter of
the 18th instant regarding crop condi-
lions, frost, ETC., will say that there
was no frost, not even the slightest
the morning of the 18th or any other
trace of frost. in this locality, either
morning. There was a slight srost in
ing, but l was there yesterday and
there was absolutely no damage done,
not even to garden truck.
Regarding the general outlook for
corn crop, will say that I have given
the same great deal of attention, as
feel very much interested. | drove
Sunday from Eagle Grove to Wesley.
The Sunday before I drove from Wes-
ley to Buffalo Center, and north of
there nearly to the state line, and l
have examined the crop around Mason
City as we'll as made inquiries at all
times from everyone have met. and
feel that I have very reliable informa-
arIi ,,tr hn t,,1 tic,, IF
this section Of the country. My belief
is that this locality, including the
territory which / have mentioned, has
the best stand of corn that it has ever
had with possibly one exception. The
acreage is large and the stand is simply
amazing. Fifty per cent of the corn is
now out of the way Of frost and will
be marketable corn; at least another
25 per cent would make good feed,
while the balance would go along with
the stock for good roughness. In fact
think the SO per cent that is out of
the way of the frost is equal to IS per
cent of the average crop, and that the
so per cent that is not out OF the way
of frost will produce such an album
dance of feed that 1t will more than
make up the other IS per cent, so that
for feeding and marketing purposes
combined I am thoroughly convinced
that we have at this time equivalent to
an average corn crop in this section of
the state.
In speaking of the average corn crop
do not take into consideration the
last two years at all, but what was
considered an average crop prior to the
past two years, and taking into con-
sideration the price of corn, the bene
fits we will receive in the way Of feed,
puts this crop away beyond the average
crop as a money producer. That is the
situation today.
And the weather is growing warmer
instead of colder. An ordinary light
frost would be a benefit instead of a
detriment, as it would kill the blades
and give the unmatured corn chance
to ripen that must faster. l saw
twelve ears of corn taken from con-
secutive fields, not selected but taking
the average ear, which were picked a
week ago Sunday or on the 4th of this
month There were two ears that
were absolutely out of the way of frost
while one was not out Of the way of
frost. The week following or on the
nth of this month, twelve ears picked
from the same field showed eleven ears
out of the way of frost and the other
ear in only slight danger. $50 you will
notice what progress the corn made the
past week. / believe one week more
of good weather will mature 80 per
cent or more of our crop, and 81 per
cent Of this years crop will be consid-
cradle more than 100 per cent of en-
average crop in marketable corn, while
as a money producer it will be equiva-
lent to 125 per cent of an average crop.
In my drive from Eagle Grove Sun
day saw number of places where
they had gathered their seed corn and
I never saw finer looking corn grown
anywhere than that which was gath
cred for seed.
You only ask regarding the corn. i
will say a word about other crops In
this locality. Our oat crop was way
above the average in both yield and
quality, and the price has been good.
In fact our oat crop alone will pro-
duce more money this year than our
combined crops either of the past two
years. The wheat crop, OF which we
have very little in this section OF the
state, is the best raised for years, ami
the price of wheat has made 1t espec-
tally a paying one this season. The hay
crop is above the average and is bring
ing a good price as we'll as furnishing
a fine lot of feed and enabling the far
mars to sell more than usual of their
grain. Other grains are all Of good
quality and good yield. There is
an abundance of fruit as we'll as
great yield of vegetables. In fact the
man who can find fault with the year
1904 must be a pessimist indeed.