The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-08-21
KENTUCKY CROP REPORT.
August 10, 1914.

The crop report as OF August LIST is
the most discouraging one that has
been issued from this department for
many seasons. The report issued last
month, while dismal in many respects,
had hopeful undertone, as seasonable
rains could then have saved the crops
more or less. There has not been a
general rain in the last month. Insult
ficient showers have fallen Ia different
localities and conditions have deteri-
GRATED in practically every portion OF
the State. II is now too late for the
rains to do early corn any good what
ever. The corn that was planted after
June LIST would be materially aided by
a good rainfall. Tobacco will come
out with anything like good rain, and
the damage has not been so serious to
the tobacco crop as to the corn crop.
Pastures have dried up and stock wa
ter is very scarce in many places The
lack II good drinking water has seem
ed to iniure stock more than the lack
of pasture.
Corn has dropped from condition OF
81 per cent to 65 per cent, Burley to-
bacco from Go per cent to sc per cent.
Dark tobacco from condition of 81
per cent to 62 per cent. Clover pas
lures are disappearing showing con-
dition of So per cent. Bluegrass Ga
per cent and alfalfa 65 Cow peas and
oy beans are resisting the drought bet
ter than any other OF the forage crops.
Again we would like to call attention
to the possibilities of these two legumes
and the farmer who has sowed few
acres of either of these plants in all
probability will have hay for the win
ter, as well as improving his land.
Fruits are dropping off the trees on
account of the drought conditions. The
condition OF apples is given at 81 per
cent, pears at sc and peaches at 70.
Live stock conditions are given.
Horses go per cent. cattle SO, hogs SO.
and sheep SO per cent, Poultry as
rule is doing well. Garden conditions
are given at 81 per cent.
While rain would not do the corn
crop any good. yet IL would be OF great
help to the man who has sown late
maturing forage crops. There has been
but little summer blowing done on
account of the ground being too much
packed to break up In good condition:
Farmers are urged TO sow rye, barley
or wheat as early as possible in order
to have winter pastures. Winter or
Hairy Vetch is fast becoming an inn
portant part of our winter pastures.
This is a leguminous pant and can be
sown with rye, and will make hay
early in the spring II this mixture Is
cut before the rye heads.
Great care should be exercised to
prevent fires spreading in the fields.
The forests are becoming dry enough
for fire to spread rapidly II once light
ed. The water supply OF several towns
has become so low that the health
are warning the farmers as
well as the city jewellers OF the danger
OF using water from stagnant wells or
pools or from low springs. Two dry
seasons in succession have rendered
conditions very unpromisiug from an
agricultural standpoint in Kentucky.
and just at the time when prices are
highest for live stock known In many
years, the Kentucky farmer is unable
to keep his farm well stocked on ac-
count of the drought conditions. He,
however, will be well repaid who man
ages to hold on to his breeding stock
under these conditions.
Very truly yours.
j. w. NEWMAN,
Commissioner OF Agriculture.