The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-08-10
CROP REPORTS SHOW SPLENDID
OUTLOOK EVERY
WHERE.
NO CHUsE FOR ALARM
LATE FRoSTs HAD NO MATERIAL
EFFECT ON THE GREAT CORN
AND WHEAT BELTS,

tress and financial ruin for the farmers
OF the United States and because of
their hard times a stringency for the
whole population OF the country, have
been put to rout by reports of crop
prospects received in Chicago, says the
Chicago Tribune.
Tne late spring. with its accompany
ing chilly blasts, which fingered until
the beginning OF summer. furnished
many prophets with dark visions for
\ the future, and the story of complete
faE1re OF all the important crops was
handed about as an established fac.
Just how far these false prophets
failed has only recently come to light
In the cheerful reports from practically
every section OF the United States.
Stories of the prosperity near at
hand for the American farmer-a
prosperity practically sure to be re-
fected to all classes of citizens-came
from the editors of various farm week
lies and periodicals devoted to crop
conditions.
From Almost All the States.
The collection of reports was made
by c. r. Erwin. president OF Lord &
Thomas advertising agents. Engaged
IN business to a great extent depen-
dent upon prosperity, Erwin deter
mined to investigate thoroughly the
stories of dismal prospects, and in
manner that would leave no opportu-
nifty for doubt He appealed to the
editors of the farmers papers as the
men closest in touch with the pulse OF
the farming world and with their ears
trained to catch the expert opinions of
the farmers Letters were sent to the
in all no
states OF the Union, and replies from
every one of them, many OF them by
wire, were received.
Practically nothing bu cheering
news has been heard from the wheat
crop. Kansas will harvest 600, 900, 900
bushels this year, and highly satisfac
tory stories OF progress OF the crop
and its attendant prosperity promises
have come from Minnesota, the Dak-
tas, Missouri and the far Northwest
ern states. Rumors OF the destructive
green bug have apparently died In the
] last few weeks, and while it is admit
ted that the insect did q great deal
Of harm in Oklahoma and the Indian
Territory, its appearance in other i'm
portant wheat growing states was
short and the damage small.
All Better in Iowa.
Iowa-In most sections the crops are
better than they have been in years.
Late rains did some damage, but not
enough to affect the general outlook.
Corn, the big Iowa crop, will be above
the average, and one expert has boldly
declared the yield within the state to
be over 300,000,00O bushels. There
will probably be normal yield Of oats,
amounting to about 150, 900 bushels.
Kansas-A wheat crop approximat-
ing 60O,000,00O bushels spells prosper
ity for this state beyond doubt. The
farmers are as happy as they have
been in a decade.
Nebraska-One Of the largest corn
crops Nebraska has ever known is con
fidently predicted. At first 1t seemed
as If the yield would be short but good.
steady weather around the first Of July
did the work, and now a bumper run is
in sight. With an increased acreage OF
wheat there will be an average crop
and the yield OF alfalfa will also be
great. The ranges are reported in ex-
cellent shape.
Missouri-Despite the disheartenins
predictions for corn growers, and ex-
pert says the crop is only seven points
behind last year. The oat crop is the
best in years, and wheat is about the
average and thoroughly satisfactory.
= Illinois Beats Average.
y Understanding better. than an
averagt crop of wheat, a fine large crop
of both timothy and clover hay, and
plenty Of oats and rye is the story OF
the farmers. The corn Is keeping up
well and fruit alone is in bad shape.
Indiana-Records Of last season will
hardly be broken, but the crops will
far exceed the early expectations. Corn
and oats are a little behind the aver
age, but the other field crops are about
equal to other years. The fruit crop is
below the normal.
Ohio-As a whole the crops are
about the average. In some sections
the prospects are away above the nor
NAL, but in others 1t is apparent there
will be decreases in the yield, all tend
Ing to even up matters.
New York-With a bigger hay crop
than 1t has had for years, New York is
not worrying greatly over the fact
that its wheat output will be hardly
more than ninety per cent OF the aver
age. With the hay and pasture outlook
SO excellent, a correspondingly encour-
aging note has been sounded by the
dairy interests. Potatoes will be about
on the average.
Pennsylvania-There will easily be
an average crop Of wheat, and while
corn is late it is expected to finish
with about the normal yield. Oats are
heading we'll, and grass, which makes
pennsylvania the secand dafrying
state in the country, is in excellent
shape.
Connecticut-Withr rye above the av-
erage and hay in a similar condition.
although slightly late, farmers have
nothing whatever to complain about.