The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-05-24
CONDITIONER CROPS.
WINTER WHEAT SHOWN TO BE
ONLY THREE-FiFTHs THAT
OF 1915.
HAPPENINGS OF THE STATE
What 10 Going On Here and There
That Is Of Interest to the Read
ers Throughout South Da-
kota and Vicinity.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

western newspaper Union News Service.
Sioux Falls.-Facing q situation bor-
sdering on a national food shortage
n with food prices probably the
highest in the history Of the country,
estimates of the state department of
agriculture, based on crop conditions
May l, indicate that the production
OF winter wheat in South Dakota this
year will approximate only three
fifths of the total production last year
and will fall more than $50, 900 bush
els under the yield of 1915.
Other circumstances, however,
serve, somewhat to mitigate the seri-
of the situation. The depart
ment's estimate forecasts a produc-
ton OF 1920, 600 bushels OF rye in the
state, which constitutes an increase
OF practically 10000 bushels over last
year and 100000 bushels over the
previous harvest.
h wheat forecast based on condi-
ton May /, as reported by the depart
ment's agents throughout the state,
.contemplates a yield of 1,660,0 900 bush
els. The final estimate last year
showed a production of 2,775.0 0
bushels and two years ago the state
harvested 2,562.000, according to the
report.
The average price paid for South
Dakota wheat on May / this year was
$2.14. according to figures compiled
by the bureau. On the same date of
1916 the price averaged s1.02, show
ing an increase of 100 per CEN in the
amount which South Dakota farmers
obtained for their product.
In line with the increase in wheat
prices, other cereals and farm COM
modities made similar advances. Corn
prices on May / this year averaged
$1.33, while on the same date in 1916
the prices averaged SO cents. Oats
which on May / this year sold for 81
cents was disposed of at 35 cents in
1916.
Price averages in South Dakota for
other products for the two years were
as follows:
1916. 1917.
Potatoes, per bushel ....$0.59 1884
Hay, per ton ............ $50 800
Eggs, per dozen ......... .16 30
Only 81 per cent of the spring plant
ing had been done on May / this year,
the report shows, as compared with
66 per cent on the same date last year
and 66 per cent as the ten-year aver
age.
Spring blowing this year showed a
lower percentage than the average
for the last ten years. On May 1. 1917,
the land plowed in South Dakota to-
tailed only So per cent, compared with
SO per cen May / last year and 81
per cen as the ten-year percentage.
Hay in the state constituted the
only crop, aside from rye, which show
ed an improved condition over the
average for the last ten years. Con.
dition OF meadows on May l this year
was 80 per cent, compared with a ten
year average Of "a per cent.
The condition of pastures of the
state was 81 per cent, as compared
with a ten-year average of SO per cent.
A comparison Of the South Dakota
crop conditions. as a whole with that
OF the nation. as reported by the de-
partment of agriculture for May 1, dis
closes that the crop conditions in
South Dakota this spring are below
the average condition throughout the
country.