Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-06-06
COLD HURTS CROPS.
WEATHER FOR MAY WORST IN
25 YEARS.
WEI Fields Full of ROttinE Seeds
and Many Farmers Face Crop
FaiIure-Theory as to Cause Of
Chilling Blasts.

The unprecedented cold weather
which has held the entire country east
of the Rocky Mountains in its grip
for the last two weeks has wrought
enormous damage to crops of every
kind. The Washington weather bureau
reports that not since 1882 has the alb
normal weather of the present year
been approached in severity.
AS TO the cause of the unreasonable
weather conditions now prevailing the
experts of the weather bureau have
two facts and one theory. One fact is
that practically every bit of the cold
air that has been rushing down from
the Northwest has come from the di-
rection of Siberia. Another fact is
that it has come in such great volumes
that it has leaped over the natural bar
riers found in. the mountains of British
Columbia and spread over the North
west, the middle West, around the great
lakes TO New York and New England,
and as far south as Kansas.
I'VE have an idea" said Professor
H. o. Frankenfeld of the forecast di-
vision of the weather bureau, that an
extraordinary amount of snow has fall
en- in Siberia during the last five or
six months. All the heat has apparent
ly radiated from it, leaving an intense
ly cold mass covering the earth. Arctic
winds blowing over that mass of snow
and ice do not have their temperature
raised to any appreciable extent before
they hit the American continent. The
winds that blow across from Siberia ap-
parently are without moisture The re-
suit is a high pressure over the north
ern part of the American continent,
while in the south there is low press
ure. Atmosphere, like water, kows TO
the lowest point. There is no doubt
about the course of the cold winds that
tants speak of this spring as if it were
the coolest in human experience, which
it is not"
Conditions in Many States.
The following reports, showing crop
conditions for various sections of the
country have been received:
Peoria, Ill.-The abnormally cold
weather in this section of the country
has played havoc with crops, and not
more than half crop of oats and wheat
is expected. What is known as 1.-The green
bug" is working in the wheat and oats
and the cold weather has retarded the
growth of the cereals to such an extent
that the insect has gotten in its work
with disastrous results. In central Hi
nois not even half a crop is expected.
The cold weather has left the ground in
poor shape for planting corn and the
farmers report the outlook discoura ging.
La Crosse, Wis.-Reports to Offices of
southern Minnesota branches of the st.
Paul railway, which covers the bulk of
the best wheat territory in Minnesota and
South Dakota, are that the weather of
the past week has proven favorable to
crops. Ninety-fve per cent of the seed
ing of wheat, oats, rye, and barley had
been done. The condition of ground is
very good and farmers expect an average
crop, if weather remains favorable from
now on. The crop is now two weeks be-
hind.
Minneapolis, Minn.-Although the crop
outlook in the Northwest seemed unfav
orable at the outset, present prospects
are that the grain will give a bigger yield
this season than last; in fact, the situa-
ton in the Northwest could not be bright
er, for general conditions are such that
this section should enjoy unparalleled
prosperity this year.
Cincinnati, Ohio.-There has been a
remarkable continuance of cold, highly
unreasonable weather in this region for
many weeks past. The only crops to be
injured at all are the grapes and berries,
as all growing grain crops are too far adj
vanced to be seriously hurt.
Cleveland, Ohio.-The cold weather and
the rains have not done much damage to
wheat in Ohio. Reports received from
every section of the State state the cold
is delaying the growth of the wheat, but
the germ is all right. Fruits have not
Jared so we'll in this State.
Wabash. Ind. - The unreasonable
wealth has cut the wheat one-half, even
vest The corn is all planted, but with
mercury below 40, almost nightly, the
plants have been badly nipped and cut
worms are at work. Fruit is practically
all killed and vegetables have suffered
severely.
Keokuk, Iowa-Oats and winter wheat,
the only kind of wheat raised in this
section, made an excellent showing, and
with future favorable weather good crops
of these cereals will be harvested. Corn
is making fair stand, grass made a slow
start, and there will be a very short hay
crop Fruit is almost a total failure,
including early apples. peaches, pears,
plums and cherries. The berry crop is
short.
Omaha, Neb.-As compared with six
weeks ago the condition of Nebraska
wheat has fallen off somewhere from
10 to 20 per cent. Six weeks ago, how
ever, the condition was as near perfect
as was ever known. Corn has been plant
ed under exceptionally favorable condi-
tons and the acreage is slightly in ex-
cess of last year.
Detroit, Mich.-The most backward
spring in the memory of even the "old-
est inhabitant" has seriously hurt the
farmers of Michigan, and viii later make
its effects felt on the consumers The
month of May all through the Wolver-
inc State has been like the March of or
binary years, and all crops are sure to
be at least a month behind. The fruit
crop will undoubtedly be short this year.
and present indications point to a small
and poor berry crop. Early vegetables
are scarce and are bringing high prices.
Reading, Pat is estimated that the
loss to the farmers and truck growers in
the Schuylkill valley due to the late
spring frosts and wet May weather may
amount to S15O,00O. The fruit was not
as much damaged as at first supposed,
but the crops in the ground, particular
" potatoes and other vegetables, are re-
tarded in growth and rotting
ST. Joseph, Mo.-There will be almost
total failure of early frUSt. Wheat is
not materially injured. and corn, al
though late, is in good condition.
Louisville, Ky.-Heavy frosts all over