The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-08-06
CROP OUTLOOK
In THE EASTERN
THIRD OF STATE
CONTINUED nom Page -

; during the past three days are OF the
opinion that August weather viii
make or break the crop. Rain Is
needed, and If the favorable condi-
tions that are required materialize
the state will probably harvest q
good corn crop.
Potatoes promise a good crop, but
have been hurt by bugs, and need
favorable conditions under which tc
!, mature.
The hay crop over the state il
short, alfalfa yielding about two
thirds OF a normal production.
The western two-thirds of the
state shows some localities in which
very good crops will be harvested In
spite OF the generally poor outlook
| Upon fields that were thorou yhlS
cultivated and planted early, wheat
is standing up we'll against adverse
conditions. Late sown grain, and
that put in upon poorly preparef
land. has not been able to resist tho
continued dry weather and extreme
heat.
Stock Situation.
Bankers and agricultural experts
| throughout the state and also in
| Montana are giving close attention
| at this date to the stock situation
Steps are already being taken to ad
wise farmers against cleaning uF
their breeding animals Shipments
into Livestock markets show that the
| movement in North Dakota and 9TH
er states where the hay and forage
Is short has already begun. The
North Dakota Agricultural college
reports that the probabilities are
hnN En % ha lz.R
| not to part with their breeding
stock. and investigation is now be-
ing made as to steps that may be
taken to hold within the state a
maximum amount OF stock by bring
ing in hay and forage TO carry II
through the winter.
The crop situation in South Da-
kota Is in some respects similar TO
that in North Dakota. The eastern
one-third OF the state promises we'll.
while the central portion shows seri-
Gus damage in some localities. and
the portion west OF the Missouri
river a poor outlook.
Northern Montana wheat has suf-
fered severe damage from heat and
drouth, and like western North
Dakoto has many localities in which
the farmers will not recover seed.
The outlook in Sheridan and
Richland counties is somewhat bet
ter than in other portions OF the
eastern half OF the state. Crops
grown upon irrigated land will be
good. The northern part of eastern
Montana will probably not harvest
more than 20 per cent of an average
crop. The southern half promises
somewhat better. The northwestern
quarter of the state reports about
wEyhIIa localities
like Beaverhead Valley have q good
outlook
Conditions In Minnesota as
whole are favorable. Through the
southern half of the state, corn is
making rapid progress and promises
we'll, and wheat iS practically safe.
The outlook Is for a good crop. 1t is
noticeable all the way from Minnea-
polls northwest to Crookston that
the wheat fields are in good condt-
ton. The heads are we'll filled, and
although the straw is short, there
promise of a very good yield. In the
same general area, rye and barley
are fair 10 good. but oats are not 80
promising. Corn is very spotted,
and some fields are so backyard that
they will not yield more than fods
der.
Red River Valley.
THE Red river valley has a fair
to good outlook. South of the low
er end OF the valley. including the
west central counties of the state,
there has been considerable damage,
and in some parts the crops will be
poor. II is doubtful whether the
damage that has occurred In Mime
sofa, taking the state as a whole, Is
more serious than would ordinarily
= L. The
total production for the state Will
run into good figures, which Is es-
pecially important in view Of the
heavy wheat production Of this
state.
THE harvest of rye and barley
has been in progress for more than
a week, and farmers are beginning
to cut oats. The heat OF the past
two weeks has rushed the grain crop
forward to maturity very rapidly
and within a few days the wheat
harvest will be in full swing.
There is much speculation as to
the influence upon banking and COM
mercIal business resulting from crop
damage occurring in July. The best
Informed authorities are inclined to
take a favorable view, and believe
that adverse conditions will not
develop during the present year.
Montana is in better shape TO stand
the damage that has resulted from
heat and drought than North Dako-
ia. After two especially good crop
years, and a period during which
livestock and wool have commanded
high prices, there is no reason 10
suppose that the buying power OF the
people or the general prosperity OF
the state will be impaired. II Is notice
I'm banking
or commercial business In that state
are not pessimistic over the future,
and are taking the losses of the pres
ent crop year philosophically and
with a considerable degree OF
optimism.
"The problem In North Dakota es-
pacialIy in the western half OF the
state. is more serious, because much
of the increased acreage this year
has been put in with borrowed
money, and there will be many
localities where the farmers will De
hard hit. The early steps that are
being taken by bankers, the agricul-
turaI extension department and 9TH
er interests, are a very taVorapIe
sign. and mean that the state as a
whole recognizes the difficulties that
have come upon a great many OF the
farmers, and is prepared 70 render
whatever assistance and co-opera-
tion they may need.
.'Portions OF South Dakota IN
which conditions are unfavoraple
are not as a whole, especially inn
portant from q crop production
standpoint, and there Is no reason
to believe that the state generally
will suffer seriously from the loss
!. has sNnFeHAFaFNfi
" ..SStrneSota win undoubtedly be
aroanerot1s. The area embracing
the greater part OF this state, and a
crop production region nearly as
large in the eastern portion OF both
North and South Dakota. win have
small grains, corn and potatoes 70
seIl in very substantial Quantities,