The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-10
WINTER WHEAT IS
6O,O0O,O0O SHORT
SO SAYS III. v. JONES IN WALL.
@I- STREET JOURNAL.
Opportunity for Improvement with
Continued Good Weather, but a
Yield Considerably Under Last Year
in Any Case.

cit seems now that eight winter wheat
states will produce about 100000 BUSH
els 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, in
terviewed in New York by the Wall Street
Journal
1.-THE United States raised a large wheat
crop in 1903, but the increase of popu-
lation made it possible to dispose of it
easily and bring to the producer the high
est price realized since the Letter year
Last fall winter wheat was sown late,
owing to unfavorable weather conditions,
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 covered 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
prevented the plant making any growth
before May l.
Western Texas, which includes the
Panhandle, and western Oklahoma have
been without rain for nearly a 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
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 10000, 900 bushels
and this year Kansas promises better
than was anticipated thirty days ago
With a continuance of good rainfalls over
this territory, the state can produce q
fine crop of wheat this year, as much
as 75,000,000 bushels. It must undergo
one risk, however, besides lack of mois-
ture, 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 re-
duce the yield from these figures.
.In Nebraska and Missouri we find con-
ditions about at a level with last year
Missouri being possibly a little better
| Kentucky and Tennessee hold about ever
| with last year. but in all this territory II
will be understood that the wheat plant
| is in danger from hot weather.
Gin the Ohio valley conditions are tbs
most unfavorable for several states, In
diana, Michigan and Ohio being especially
hurt as to the yield Of wheat. Farmers
are blowing up wheat lands and resoW.
/ ing to oats and planting corn. The yielc
i of wheat in the Ohio valley will probably
at the best, not exceed one-half that
raised a year ago. Pennsylvania prom
| ises smaller yield than last year. Mary
land 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 coun
1 try 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 anG
4 European export. The Pacific yield ast
i year was short. This year promises tt
be normal.
Taking it on the WHOLE says Mr.
Jones, "the country's wheat yield will be
from 20,0OO,0O0 to 50,O00,000 bushels les.
/ than last year, depending on weather con
ditions. The spring wheat is just being
sown and is in favorable condition