Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-02
CROP OUTLOOK IS GOOD
SECRETARY WILSON THINKS
IT IS SATISFACTORY.
Corn Looks Better Than for Three
Years-California Wheat Crop,
However, Will Be Smaller.

According to reports received at the Az
ricultural Department from all sections of
the country Secretary Wilson Is inclined to
believe that the crops of this year are more
than favorable, and that the outlook is very
satisfactory.
I'm my estimation we are going to have
very satisfactory crop year." said the
Secretary Of Agriculture. Corn Is looking
better than It has at this season for three
years. Wheat compares well with past
years-is better. IN fact. than at this time
last year or the year BEFORE" continued
Secretary Wilson. Reports from the cot
ton belt are encouraging. All the hay crops
are reported good. and so are the oats I
cannot make any predictions on prices
That Is somewhat out Of our line but will
say that l see no reason why the prices
should not prove satisfactory. OF course
my predictions are. so to speak. informal.
The bureau Of statistics has the services of
a great corps Of experienced assistants who
report the crop conditions each in hts own
locality, and the chief of the bureau Is an
expert on percentages. and so on. so you
should see him for accurate data. I am
speaking only from the reports that have
reached me from various sources and from
observation"
All Reports Agree.
Reports are constantly being received
AAoha lilo AACfO ofCS VI THO tmcnI OF
Agriculture and their observations agree
that conditions are thoroughly favorable
for good crops.
Chief Staastician John Hyde pointed out
that 1t would be impossible for him to
furnish any trustworthy estimates regard
ing crop conditions more recent than those
contained IN the regular monthly esti-
mate Of July II. which dealt with crop
conditions on July /. At that time the
bureau of statistics reported the condt-
ton OF spring and winter wheat combined
as higher than at the same period in either
OF the two preceding years. The condi
ton OF the corn crop, according to the
percentages drawn from the official re-
ports. was shown to be considerably higher
than at the same period of year ago.
although slightly below that of July 4
1902. and slightly below the ten-year aver.
age. Mr.. Hyde called attention however
to the fact that radical changes in con-
dition were liable to accur at any time
this early In the season, and that the de
partment was not yet prepared to submit
Its estimates in bushels. Both oats and
barley. according to the July report were
IN good condition. both being above the
ten-year average.
Mr.. Hyde explained that the system OH
tanning IN the bureau of statistics. which
nad OF course. been designed with a view
TO avoiding all possibility of leaks" rem
dered 1t impossible for any one. even him
self, to have the slightest idea whnt tha
next crop report would Indicate more than
a few hours in advance of its pubIication
The reports of the various crop Observer
are put IN proper form as they are re-
ceived. but it is Impossible ever 70 snr-
mise the results Of combining their figures
until the totals are finally reached. and tbat
Is done behind closed doors not more than
two hours before the results are given to
the press. oven ~
The Wheat Crop.
The wheat crop now being harvested in
Caiifornia will show much smaller yield
ehan Tor many years. Some OF the more
Optimistic trade estimates place the crop at
a.OOo.OO0 bushels. but 12.0OOOOO bushels
Will be nearer the correct figures. Last
year the crop yield was I500OOOo bushels,
but the lack of rain at the proper time ana
lnoPportune dry winds have brought II be-
low what was considered a small crop last
year. The yield this year is confined mainly
TO central and northern California, that in
the southern sections being almost a COM
plete failure. Prices have been good, and
choice milling wheat now sells readily at
HISS GENITAL with shipping grades steady
at $1.40. On account Of light yield there
win not be sufficient for home consumption
al nd