The Delta independent., 1913-09-12
Harvest Of Good Crops
In Delta County

The harvesting OF sugar beets is be
ginning in a small way and Will be in
more active progress in another week.
The fields average good, some excel
lent and others below the average, as
is always the case. The sugar content
is expected to be a little above the
average this season. The acreage is
somewhat increased over former
years. The yield from territory ada
cent to Delta this fall is estimated at
close to 10000 tons, which Will mean
more than a quarter million dollars to
growers.
Alfalfa has been an enormous yield
in the first two cuttings, While the
third and last cutting, which is now
beginning, will be but slightly lighter
than the other two. Weather condi-
tions have been more than favorable
and the hay crops have been taken
care of in fine shape. The country
around is full of hay, but it Will all
have market and promises at least
average good prices, which will prob
ably mean for the fal land winter feed
ing not less than seven or eight dol
lars in the stack. These figures may
even go higher because of the drouth
shortage in nearby states.
The grains raised, which are mainly
wheat and oats, are threshing out an
average of 40 bushels for wheat and
60 bushels for oats per acre, while
there have been several reports of 50
and 60 bushels OF wheat per acre to a
field and 100 bushels of oats.
Potatoes have been one of the big
crops of the season and have brought
growers profitable prices which is the
main thing So far about $50 cars
have been shipped from Delta alone
during last month and this, and the
late potato crop is yet to be harvest
ed. The market outlook is that the
prices may go higher.
Vegetables and melons are plenti-
full in the local markets. A good many
cantaloupes are being shipped in crate
lots to the hill towns. Both watermel
ons and cantaloupes of local growth
are OF fine quality. while the home
grown vegetables are hard to excel.
The fruit crop is more in evidence
as the season advances. Peaches are
short of course; still there will be sew
eral train loads to ship from Delta
country, from the North Fork and Sur
face Creek. Elberta peaches, prunes
and late plums are now being picked
and packed. and the ice plant of the
D. & r. G. is busy icing refrigerator
cars every night. Apples will form
the main part of the local fruit crop
this year Some sections will be
short. mainly because of the trees
overbearing last season, but many or
chards show a wealth of apples that
is delight to behold. This is espec-
tally true of Surface Creek orchards,
and II need not occasion surprise if
the apples to ship should reach much
nearer 1000 carloads from this coun-
ty, than the estimated number OF 1900
cars. The market also promises to
be satisfactory.
Stock conditions are favorable and
cattle are looking fine. Rains on the
hills. though in some sections little
late. are now improving the outlook
for winter range.
Poultry raising, which is very i'm
portant side branch, has stocked tho
country we'll with chickens, turkeys
and other fowls, the market for which
has been much better than in former
seasons. and sales OF poultry so far
this season from Delta alone have AK
gregated nearly $4,000. while the real
marketing time is ahead.