The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-22

age. The seed in Ohio and Indiana had
very poor sustenance until very late in
the maturing OF the plant. and was af-
fiicted at harvest with excessive rains
that did more damage. With these hand
leaps the.retum was surprisingly large
per acre. but the quality deprecated
Texas drought ran all through the win
ter and was not broken until the wheat
had passed a stage Of recuperation and
a minimum yield was harvested.
The Northwest has yet to harvest its
crop TO the indicated yield Of our cor
respondents. but the cutting has progress
ed rapidly and over half Of the acreage
Is safe from blight Of heat or frost. A
year ago a dry area hung over the west
eTn half Of North Dakota, touch Of
the black rust nipped the plant in the
southern counties, and the northern
fringe OF South Dakota. In the critical
stage this year rust was threatened. and
conditions favored its spread but the
changing moods OF the weather saved the
best wheat crop OF a decade.
Government Estimate Reduced.
The government indication Of 100000
bushels In July was reduced to 293. 600 900
in August 1y too rapid ripening under
continued warm temperatures. This
rapid ripening has been the only draw
back and that but slight The crop has
reached its maturity early and escaped
the great danger OF the northern part OF
the belt-frost. The Pacific Coast re-
turns to its usual large yield. though
threatened a while by the early summer
drought and though not a record for
that region. it is well above the aver
age
While high prices we're apparent last
summer and predicted in our review. the
return to the wheat farmer this year will
be, yield considered, as remunerative.
The grain has come TO the market at ar
average price higher than last year.
when early marketlngs in the Southwest
were sold at IS to so cents a bushel and
the early marketings this year over the
entire winter belt was from 81 20 Sll5.
The price on the farm now is from Sc
10 90. The price will be fixed by the
European demand, which this year will
not be in excess of last year. as the re-
punishment OF stocks Will absorb large
quantity over the normal consumption.
Wheat will be remunerative to the far
mer, because values are trending higher.
and the consuming public will be saved
from exorbitant prices by the generous
harvest.
King Corn Rules Again.
King Corn sits again in majesty over
HIS domain; the plant has been more
vigorous. and promises a production far
beyond the 266S. 100000 bushels OF last
year Our returns indicate a crop OF g.
@4,O0OoO0 bushels. The acreage has been
materially increased. being 100000 to
lOl. OO0O00 last year-the great increase
has been in Oklahoma. Texas, Louisiana.
and other Southern States. The big belt
holds it's own with an increase; Illinois
exceeding 100000 on the government es-
innate OF acreage The condition has
been splendid everywhere all the sum-
mer, except IN the drought region o. the
Southwest. and a small drought area
over the East Texas has been coming
forward as a great corn State for some
years. the Western lands. rich and ia
vored By excellent climate. are ideal for
corn. Had not the drought developed
early last fall and made breaking OF
ground difficult, her acreage would have
been second. II not first. instead of being
third TO Illinois and Iowa. Yet with
her great acreage the plant has had a
losing fight against drought and heat.
and half a crop Is the best that she
can do, for the ripsning period is now at
hand Oklahoma with q 80 per cent in
creased acreage. largely replacing cot