Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-04-20
WHEAT CROP NOW
REPORTED SHORT
Weather Conditions Have Not
Been Favorable to the Devel-
opment of the Grain

Estimates based upon reports made
by men in most of the townships of
the State to the State Bureau of Agri-
cultural statistics indicate that weather
conditions have caused a drop in the
condition of winter wheat and the
summary for April indicates that the
crop is twelve per cent. behind thei
average for this time of the year for
the last decade. The statement just
issued is one of the most complete
complied by Statistician L. II. While
and sets forth conditions from first
hand information.
The review says in part:
The weather during the month of
March was unfavorable to winter
grain. Practically during the entire
month. the ground froze at night and
thawed during the day. Wheat de-
clined in condition during the month
of March from 95 per cent. of an
average to SS per cent. of an average.
Consequently the wheat on the first of
the present month was 2 per cent
below the average condition at this
time of the year. On this basis the
crop this year is estimated to amount
to about 19,240.00O bushels as against
24.272, 600 last year.
Rye seems to be able to withstand
the ravages of the severe weather con-
dittons somewhat better than wheat
and is only nine per cent. below the
average condition at this time of the
year. This means that on this basis
the crop of rye this year will amount
to approximately 4,069,000 bushels
Last year it was 4,760,00 bushels. The
wheat area for 1915 harvest is about
one per cent. larger than last year,
while the rye area is three per cent
or a or. Nf a NJ act
Fall the ground could not be gotten in
proper condition for seeding. The grain
had an average snow protection of
seven weeks. In this connection we
I fobserve that the northern tier of coun-
ties had ten weeks of snow while the
southern tier had only five weeks.
The corn in the crib is in good con-
dition. Approximately twenty-four
| per cent. of the corn ground for this
years crow was plowed last Fall. The
Spring plowing began about March "a.
However, at the time of making the
returns for this report no plowing was
done in the northern counties. Frost
was still in the ground and in many
instances the ground was still covered
with snow. Considerable plowing was
! done during the month of February in
! the western and southwestern counties.
In many instances in these counties
! more plowing was done in February
than in March. Very little February
plowing done in the other sections of
! the State.
The prospects for fruit are fairly
good; but this report is early. and our
correspondents could not give us very
reliable estimates.
THE price of grain, particularly
wheat, has materially advanced in
price since our December last report.
Potatoes are very plenty and have de-
creased in price eight cents per bushel
since December. Hay has advanced
very little since last Falls price.
| The following report is compiled
| from the returns received from the
official correspondents of the depart
ment:
| Wheat-Condition compared with an
average, IS per cent; average num-
! Der of weeks of snow protection, Z.
| Rye-Condition compared with an
average, 81 per cent.
Corn-Condition in the crib compar-
ed with an average. 100 per cent: por-
tion of ground plowed last Fall for this
years crop, "a per cent: average date
when Spring plowing began, March "a.
| Fruit-Prospect compared with nor
NAL yield: Apple, 90 per cent; pear,
80 per cent; peach, Sc per cent;
plum, 90 per cent; cherry, 81 per
cent; apricot. 90 per cent.
Grain-Price per bushel Wheat,
S1.41: corn. SO cents; oats, 60 cents;
rye. SO cents.
Potatoes-Price per bushel, "a cents.
Hay-Price per ton, Glover, $3.50;
timothy, $3.50.