The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1911-08-31
fine WHEAT CROP
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
FIGURES TOTAL YIELD AT
so,ooo,ooo BUSHELS.
WEATHER HAS been ideal
Estimates $7o,ooo,ooo viii Go to
Farmers.-Harvest in the Red
River Counties Restores
Balance.

Bismarck, Aug. 2<.-W. g. Gilbreath.
commissioner of thu state agricultural
department of North Dakota, sizes up
crop conditions in his state as fox /
lows:
"The fear of repetition Of the
short crop of 1910 which spread over
the western parts of North Dakota
during the middle of July, has hap
PLY been shattered and dispelled by
the almost ideal weather conditions
which have prevailed since that date.
and while there may be no phenomen-
al yield. as was hoped for in the ear
lier weeks of the growing season.
nevertheless there will be goodly
garnering of grain in most Of our
counties and especially in those where
the acreage planted to small cereals
Is the largest.
Briefly, the aspect of the situation
has resolved itself into the question
bf how many millions of bushels will
reward our farmers for their improved
methods and more careful husbandry.
: : rather than the more pessimistic one
of how scanty the acreage yield will
be.
I'm the year 1909 the high mark
of wheat production seems to have
been reached in this state. Accepting
the figures gathered by the federal
census enumerators for that years
crops as correct we find that North
Dakota produced the tremendous total
of 116.349,677 bushels from 8.178.304
| ~ al
acre will doubtless be less in 1911
than in 1909 it must be remembered
that a substantial increase in acreage
planted has taken place since the lat
ter year. Figuring only half a crop
for this year, and allowing no increase
of acreage. we find that at z bushels
to the acre, which is approximately
half the yield per acre of 1909,
yield of more than 57.00C.000 bushels
Is indicated.
But we know beyond any doubt
ties, where nearly half the wheat
acreage of the state lies. and in the
tier of counties just west Of them.
will very closely approach the aver
age Of 1909. Allowing then for these
counties an average Of. say 13 bushels
to the acre to be conservative, and
an acreage Of. say 100000 acres and
an average of seven bushels for the
rest of the state. we find the sum for
the state figures up to the very re.
spectacle total of 80.000,00O bushels in
round figures. If you feel real pessi-
mistic and disgruntled and this grand
total looks too glittering for your
weak eyes, then knock off 100000
and you still have 7O,OOO,OOO bushels
Of as fine quality of wheat as has
ever been raised in the state remain
ing, each and every bushel of which
has very good show Of bringing to
its fortunate owner one round, large
silver dollar. A very simple sum in
multiplication tells US then that under
the most conservative, not to say pes.
simistic, estimate of the wheat situa-
ton there will be some $70.O0O,000
distributed among our farmers for
that cereal alone.
when we consider the very gen.
orally unfavorable crop conditions
which have prevailed in the western
states in 1911, and that our immediate
neighbor to the south has practically
suffered total failure. there is sure.
ly cause for congratulation on the
splendid showing which these govern
ment figures present. So far as heard
from the song Of the threshing ma.
| chine this fall has been one of comfort
, and pleasant surprises, not only in
, wheat output. but in all other grains
which have passed through it's iron
teeth. Added to this the quality of
grain threshed has been exceptionally
fine. The recent timely rains have en-.
tirely altered the face of Nature
wherever they have fallen and in
nearly every county in the state the
ground is in a splendid condition of
tilth for fall plowing and the seeding
, CT those winter crops which later ex.
perience has shown thrive so we'll in
| North Dakota. From a state of al.
: most dependency a few weeks ago.
the farmer has changed his outlook,
with the more favorable weather. to
one of buoyancy and hope, change
which it is safe to say will soon be
, justified by bursting granaries, fat
| stock and green pastures as the horn
! Of plenty pours out to him the reward
f for his faithful efforts"