Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-09-09
COUNTRY CROPS
below AVERAGE
Government Report Shows
Decrease in Wheat and
Corn Yields
HOT DRY WEATHER
GIVEN AS CAUSE

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9.--Heavy dam
age to the country's cereal crops during
August caused loss of many millions
Of bushels in prospective production, cut
ting down tho outlook for wheat TO
below the amount required for home
consumption.
The Department of Agriculture's
monthly forecast estimates the wheat
crop at Gil 100000 bushels, OF 1900, 900
bushels less than is calculated to be
necessary for domestic use. A carry-over
Of approximately l6OO0O,00O bushels OF
old wheat from last years record-break-
ing crop, however, will make up the de-
ficiency and leave something ike l00-
100000 bushels available to supply the
heavy demands of foreign nations for
American wheat. Spring wheat, parch-
ed by hot and dry weather, showed a
loss Of 100000 bushels since the Au-
gust forecast OF production. A prelimi-
nary estimate of the winter wheat crop
places the production at 455,00O,O0O
bushels, and that of sprung wheat at
l56,00C,0O0. The prospective spring
wheat crop is the smallest in twenty-five
years and 20o,0OO,OOO bushels less than
harvested.
The department issued the following
statement commenting upon the report:
NEARLY all crops declined in condition
during the last month, due to the hot,
dry weather in the northern and central
west portions Of the United States.
Corn declined in prospect during the
month 81 ,OOc000 bushels; spring wheat
declined 100000 bushels; oats, AZ
100000 bushels; harley, 1000, 900
bushels; buclSwheat, 100000 bushels;
potatoes, 46,000,OOO bushels; rice, =
100000 bushels; cotton declined in pros
pect in a month 100000 bales, and
apples, 100000 barrels.
"On the other hand, tobacco pros
poets improved during the month d.
100000 pounds, the hay estimate is
100000 tons higher than the Au-
gust / forecast and fax and sugar
beet prospects improved slightly dur
ing the month.
THE reduction Of the spring wheat
condition brings the forecast OF all
wheat down to only Gil 100000
bushels, which is not more than the
normal domestic requirement, and
compares with an estimated produc-
ton of slightly more than 1,000O0O.-
600 bushels last year and 73s.OOO,0O0
the yearly average Of the preceding
five years.
"The oats crop is short only in COM
parison with early forecasts this sea-
son and last years immense crop. be-
cause the quantity now forecast is
more than the yearly average OF the
last five years.
'The potato condition forecasts an
unusually short crop for winter sup
ply.
THE hay crop is the largest crop
ever estimated, and is an exception
to the general indication OF short
crops this year.
"The tobacco and rice crops also
promise TO be the largest ever pro-
duced."
Extent OF the heavy damage 10 the
corn crop because OF the dry and
hot weather in some parts of the
corn-growing belt was disclosed today
in the September crop report of the
Department OF Agriculture. In Okla
homa and Kansas much OF the crop
has been cut for ensilage and fodder.
Reduction Of the corn crop in north
western Arkansas, southwestern Mis-
souri, and other States has been
caused by unfavorable weather. Much
Of the principal corn area OF the
country has failed TO receive sufficient
rainfall at the most critical periods
of its growth. Frost caused slight
damage I'm extreme northern Mime
sofa. In North Dakota corn will be
mostly out of danger from frost by
September 12 and in some localities
of South Dakota II already is beyound
danger Of frost damage. but in other
parts OF that State four or five days
vet are needed. The earliest corn IS
we'll dentd in Iowa and is now safe
from frost, but fifty per cent. Of that