American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-05-18
WHEAT CROP WILL BE
SMALLER THIS YEAR
Department OF Agriculture Estimates
Much Less Acreage Planted-Bugs
Damage Much,

Damage Much.
Almost half billion bushels is the
winter wheat harvest forecast for this
year by the department of agriculture
in its May crop report. That is 1885,
100000 bushels less than harvested
last year. when a worlds record crop
was gathered in the United States, but
the crop this year is growing on
much smaller acreage planted last
fall In all, 4.2S6,000 acres were aban-
doned. leaving for harvest SS ,03O 900
acres, which is 7,433,O00 acres less
than harvested last year.
THE heaviest abandonment occur
red" the department reported, "in the
important group of winter wheat
states extending from Ohio through
Indiana to Illinois, where 1t reached
Its maximum intensity. and through
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Mis-
souri,, ranging from IS per cent in
Ohio and Iowa to 33 per cent in Him
ois. This abandonment was due prin-
cipally to late seeding on a wet and
poorly prepared seed bed, followed
by winter of unusual rigor. Sleet
and storms In January, followed by
severe cold weather, formed an ice
sheet that remained in many sections
until April, killing much Of the wheat
growth, and cold. dry spring over
the western part Of these states gave
little assistance to the plant In over
coming Its earlier handicaps.
The activity of the green bug dur
ing the winter in Texas, with a severe
winter drouth, caused All abandonment
Of 33 per cent of the sown acreage
in that state; dn Montana and Wash
ington conditions similar to those in
the central states caused loss OF
rs and 20 per cent, respectively. Cal
ifornia also shows an abandonment OF
20 per cent.
Present conditions OF growth are
poorest in the central group OF states,
| where winter killing was most severe,
the conditions ranging from % per
cent below the ten-year average condi-
tiOn at this season In Illinois down
to 10 per cent below in Iowa In
Montana and Washington the condi-
tion ds IL per cent below the ten-year
average. Elsewhere abandonment IL
slightly greater and conditions poor.
eryrAan usual. except that In Nebrasks
ard Kansas and a few other important
wheat states 1t is trifle better thar
usual.
"The Atlantic coast crop is general
| ly fair to good. The increase over tn,
condition figure of 1873 per cent las
month is due partly to the elimination
of the abandonment acreage from con
sideration in determining the presen
condition.
"The Hessian fly, reported as activ,
in many sections last fall, is no
seemingly so much In evidence, al
though reported from scattered locali
ties, particularly in central Kansas
Mention is made Of the presence o
the green bug In north central Okla
homa. but the parasites of this insec
|, are present also and II is hoped will
limit the damage IL might otherwis
do.
: Acreage abandonment I'm the eas
central states would have been pro
badly somewhat greater except tina
weather conditions interfered viii
spring field work, and the hay seede
in winter wheat is showing 80 favor
able stand that many farmers prefe
to accept an Improbable crop ratt
er than lose the good catch OF hay"