Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-07-20
TOO MUCH RAIN,
BUT GOOD CROPS
SECRETARY TRUE MAKES PROM.
ISING REPORT.
HAY HARVEST DELAYED
Hot Weather Handy for Farmers Who
Have Been Unable to Cut Grass
and Grain Crops-Pastures in Good
Condltion-AppIes Fall immature
from the Trees.
Madison, July ~

Madison, July ~
John M. True, secretary of the
state board Of agriculture. yesterday
issued his monthly state crop report
for July. From information he has re.
ceived from his correspondents
| throughout the state he announces that
notwithstanding the unusual number
Of rainy days during the past month
and the excessive amount of rain
which fell, the crops of the state are
In n generally favorable condition and
prospects for a good production are
| encouraging. The report follows:
The month ending July Is was es.
pecially notable for It's number of
rainy days, as much as for the exces
sivo amount Of rain that fell. The
weather also was almost universally
cold. Nevertheless crops as a whole,
have made excellent growth since our
last report, and are generally In
healthful, thriving condition. The
most discOuraging feature Of farm OPP
erations was the hlndrance 20 securing
the large hay crop, and the extensive
loss Of that which was cut. by contin-
nous rains, also the loss in value of
The crop from the inability to secure
1t in It's proper state Of growth.
mo good hay weather occurred in
the northern division of the state be-
fore the 9th of the present month, and
In the central and southern divisions
before the 18th. Up to this time
about one.fourth of the tame hay crop
Of the state had been cut. Much of
this was practically ruined, and very
little Of IL was secured without decided
loss. Much Of the tame grass now
standing, especially clover, Is over
ripe, and has lost considerable per-
centage OF its feeding value. Should
the warm fair weather of the past few
days continue for week, much of the
remaining crop will be secured, as its
ripe condition enables it to be rapidly
cured. Marshes are generally too wet
for cutting, and with the loss of tame
hay already met, there Is no question
but that good hay will bear satisfac-
tory prices before another crop grows
Pastures Good.
Conditions have been favorable for
pastures and they are reportol in ex-
ccllent shape. Live stock Is thriving,
and dairy interests continue to boom.
Winter grains are now being cut, and
the prospective yield is good. There
Is liHtle complaint of rust in spring
grains,-the greatest danger being
from overgrowth and lodging in oats.
Spring wheat Is not as satisfactory a
crop this season as winter wheat,
which is fine. Barley is ripening nice
ly, some fields having already been
cut. Notwithstanding the unfayor-
able outlook for corn last month, and
the absence OF typical corr weather
since, the crop has flourshed remark
ably, and is now close up to normal
conditions. Early planted fields are
already tasseling, and later fields
growing rapidly. The outlook for this
crop is now better than at The same
time of season in any of the past three
seasons.
Potatoes Not Promising.
rho condition of the potato crop
IL not especially promising. Much
seed has rotted, ana the replanted
fields are late and the stan uneven.
Fhc reports from the potato helt' of
the state give percentage of about
so. Tobacco Is unusually small but
there is good stand and the plants
are growing rapidly. The season has
not been favorable for the cultivation
Of sugar bcets. and much hand work
has been necessary in wedding. Peas
have been injured by excessively rainy
weather, and do not promise a full
crop, Small fruits now maturing are
an excellent crop of good quality.
Many Apples Lost,
Apples arc falling badly ana 1t is
difficult 70 predict the extent and
quality OF the crop at this time Dur.
ing the past month a severe hail and
wind storm did extensive damage 10
crops, buildings, winimills, otc In
portions If Crawford Grant Iowa
ana Dane counties, but the loss was
not sufficient To materially affect crop
percentages from those counties
The following tables OF pcrcent.
ages are the results Of reports re-
ccivcd from our correspondents.
Southern divislon-Wheat ". rye,
to-; oats, 100; barley 81; pastures,
los; corn, 81; potatoes. so. tobacco.
IS; sugar heets 95; peas, o. lpnles
a small fruits, 100"