The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-02
DROUGHT DAMAGE
REPAIRED In PART
WINTER WHEAT ENTERS APRIL
+ IN BETTER CONDITION.
A Backward Season in Some States
Rain Distribution Uneven-Idttle
Farm Work Possible Yet in North
Observation-Disclosures Soil Conditions
Generally Favorable.

Washington April 1.-The weather bu
reau's summary Of crop conditions for
March is as follows:
From the upper Mississippi valley to
the middle Atlantic coast the season is
generally reported backward, altho the
average temperature for the month in
these districts was generally in excess Of
the normal. In the southern states the
month has been favorable for farming
operations. The northern portion of the
central gulf states, however, the central
valleys and the greater part of the lake
region suffered from excessive rains and
Texas and the southern plateau region
from drought. From northern Michigan
west to the Rocky mountains the ground
is still frozen deeply, and no farm work
has been done. -
ION the Pacific coast the month has
been cold and wet, wholly preventing farm
work in Oregon and Washington. The
highest water known in many years, flood
ing thousands of acres of valuable grain
lands, occurred in northern California.
..> Winter Wheat.
"Over the western portion Of the prin-
cipal winter wheat area the reports indi-
cate an Improvement in the condition Of
winter wheat, and in some Of the more
| easterly sections a slight improvement is
also indicated. AS at the close Of the
previous month, the least favorable re-
| ports are received from the central and
eastern districts In Indiana the crop has
been badly washed on high lands and much
injured by flood on lowlands, but whether
or not thus damaged, it is healthy and
growing. .,a4A 1919
I'm portions Of the wheat area of Ne
braska and Kansas the crop has suffered
from drought. Good progress has been
made with oats seeding in the southern
states, with tho exception of western
Texas. where it has been too dry, and
the generally, outlook for. this crop is
promising 100 'S'' :.
! Seeding is in progress as far north az
southern Missouri and Kansas, but nc
seeding has been done farther north.
-. Corn. ~ -
I'm the gulf states much corn has beer
planted and good stands are reported
Some planting has been done in the south.
ern portions Of Kansas and Missouri
Preparations for corn planted in the cen.
trail Mississippi and Ohio valleys and mid.
die Atlantic states has progressed slowly
Cotton.
I'm the central and western portions O.
the cotton belt cotton planting was pro
crossing rapidly at the close of the month
and some planting had been done in al
the western districts.
I'm southern Texas about half the GRO,
has been planted, and the early planted
is coming UP nicely. -s-,s2
The Northwest
'Following are reports from northwest
ern states:
"Wisconsin-Fields generally free from
snow, but ground frozen except in a few
localities in extreme southern counties
winter wheat, rye and clover general.
wintered in good condition; preparation,
for seeding in progress; stock in goot
tcondition. -
Enthusiastically temperature wa
somewhat below normal; minimum below
freezing daily and below zero once earl,
In month; maximum above freezing OF
many days; not much snow on grount
after 23d, but ground still wet and n,
work done in soil this season. IT,
! "1owa-Moderate temperature, less thar
usual precipitation, and severe storms
soil generally was not in good condition
for field work; but little seeding has beer
done, and that on dry uplands; fall whea
and rye show considerable winter killing
but grasses are apparently unintured; NJ
!, reports of material damage to fruit tree
, or buds. T. *E% .'T - - =
North Dakota-Ground deeply froze,
3 and covered with snow; no farm worl
D possible. -. .% .a..- e, p. T- .,'.
South Dakota-Because of cold nights
frosty ground and considerable high wind
! little seeding or preparatory field work ha
/ been done; soil, as rule, fayorabl
I moist; condition of winter grain consid
cred favorable except in few localities
some loss of open range cattle in north
t west early in month";