The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1913-05-16
CROP CONDITION GOOD.
Commissioner Newman Comments on
Favorable Sign.

one" said Commissioner of Agricul-
ture ]. w. Newman, in the first crop
report for the year. Deeper planting
and rotation of crops he mentions
among the hopeful symptoms, as well
as a favorable spring.
A 90 per cent. acreage of Burley, as
against an IS per cent. acreage of dark
tobacco is commented upon, while the
report shows the condition of the
dark tobacco to be 80 per cent. and
the Burley only 83.5, insects having
damaged the latter. An average corn
acreage and good wheat stand are
early apparent.
The report is of May 1, and in part
is as follows:
"a question of prime Importance in
this report is the acreage of wheat
sown last year, which averages 81
per cent, and the amount left stand
ing as of May 1, 1913 per cent.
This shows that the acreage was re-
duced considerably last fall, mad that
little more than II per cent was
lost, either through freezing Or by
blowing up after using same for win
ter pasturage. The condition of what
is left standing is unusually good,
running to 96.2 per cent.
at is interesting to know that while
the rye acreage last fall was about
the same as wheat, being Ola per
cent. of an average crop, SO per cent.
of the same was left standing May
while the wheat was 1913 per cent.
The rye has proven in the last few
a more profitable crop than wheat in
Kentucky, and this indicates that we
will have an unusually large rye crop
for this State if conditions remain
good for 1913. The condition of rye
is given at 90.2 per cent.
"The barley crop was originally
small, S5.5 per cent, and this has
been reduced to S0.7 per cent, as was
to be expected, this crop being used
mostly as a winter forage plant, and
the ground planted to corn or some
other crop in the spring. The con-
dition of barley is SOL per cent.
while corn planting has begun, it
is impossible to give an accurate es-
innate of the acreage planted at this
time. The report shows that an av-
erage crop is being planted.
THE oats acreage is given as "a
per cent, while the condition stated
is SO per cent. This would indicate
an extensive oat crop for the season.
THE indications are that SO per
cent. OF an average crop of Burley
tobacco will be planted, while the
dark tobacco acreage has dropped to
80 per cent. in acreage. This is, no
doubt, due to the reasonable prices
for last years crop of Burley. The
dark tobacco prices were not up to
usual, and the acreage is, therefore,
curtailed. On the other hand, the con-
dltlon OF the tobacco beds in the dark
district is given as 80 per cent, while
the Burley plant beds only show a
condition of 83.5 per cent. Insects
have been doing considerable dam
age in the Burley region to the young
giants.
"Ninety-four per cent. of a potato
crop has already been planted.
THE condition of fruit is unusually
good-apples, SO per cent; peaches,
70 per cent; pears, 755 per cent;
plums, SO per cent; cherries, S2.5
per cent
The grape and berry crops seem
to be safe, and the indications are
that all kinds of fruit will be plenti-
full this year.
Live stock as whole has wintered
well. The loss of horses from all
diseases is estimated at 81 per cent.
for the ear,mules 3.9 per cent. The
loss of cattle runs to "A per cent.
The most serious loss to the farmers
has been caused by hog cholera. 1t
hot
hogs in the State have died of hog
cholera since November /. This is
constant drain on the pocketbook
OF the farmer and calls for serious
consideration. Loss on the lamb
crop is given as 2S.7 per cent. This
is attributed in a great measure to
the wet weather of March and April.
indications are for good haycrop
including alfalfa, clover and timothy
and orchard grass. Some alfalfa was
killed by the overflow of streams. Pas
ture grasses are in good condition.
Summing up the report and TAX
ing it as whole, the farmer starts in
for the crop season Of 1913 with con-
ditions very favorable and with bouy-
ant spirits. There is a general ten
dency to get awayfrom the one-crop
system. Prices as a rule are good.
the grounds working good, the sea-
son Is well advanced and the general
tone of the letters coming to this den
partment is of a cheerful nature and
full of hope. The farmer has not been
rushed and is carefully putting in his
crops, glowing deeper and working
his land before planting better than
usual. So far the season of 1913 is a
very promising one"