The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-20
MILD FAIL Abs
MONTANA FARMS
Field Agent Reports Relief
in Hay Situation Here;
December Review.
RYE ACREAGE LARGER
Winter Wheat Not Increased
but Other Fall Grain
Is Popular.

The unusually mild fall weather in
Montana has relieved the serious hay
situation and permitted extensive
winter blowing, says Guy Fitzpatrick,
field agent for the department Of ;g-
ricultllre, in the December crop re-
port issued from his office yesterday.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick reports no increase in
the winter wheat acreage. but a
marked increase in rye. The report
follows:
The acreage and conditions of the
winter wheat and rye crops are the
important features Of the crop report
issued by the Bureau of Crop Esti-
mates at Washington today.
Winter Wheat Not Increased.
The acreage Of winter wacat in
Montana has just about held its own
as compared with that sown the fall
OF 1916. This perhaps wise restriction
Of the winter wheat acreage has been
caused by the high price of seed, the
serious losses resulting from winter
killing the past two years, the neces
sity for spring seeding to combat
weeds and to limited extent, the
labor shortage more or less general
over the state. Due to the adverse
soil conditions and serious lack Of
moisture the condition of the crop on
December / was low. being only 80
Per cent of normal as compared with
the eight year average condition of
IS per cent. This condition figure
would indicate a crop of approNi-
mately 1S,5OO,0OO bushels; to be
greater or less as the condition of
the crop improves or goes backward
from now until harvest.
Rye Acreage Larger.
Especially in the northern and
eastern sections of the state there
has been a marked increase in the
acreage sown to fall rye, amounting
to over 35 per cent increase as com
pared to that of q year ago for the
state as q whole. The condition OF
the crop is but fair. being only 30 pei
cent of the normal as compared with
the 10 year average of 81 per cent, on
December /.
Hay Situation Relieved.
The exceptionally mild fall weather
continued through the entire month OF
November and into December, greatly
relieving the rather serious hay stu.
alton and permitting the continuance
of all farm work. In spite of the dr..
condition. of the soil there has been s
great increase in the acreage brought
under tnN plow and prospects fol
spring sowing, especially of wheat, are
now excellent.
The detailed report for the United
States and for Montana follows
Winter Wheat.--United States
planted in the fall of 1917. 42,0OO,O0i
acres. compared with 40,534,0O0 acre
planted last year. Condition of TIL
crop on December l was lowest OF
record: the 10 year average being 50.
per cent.
For Montana: $4,000 acres, com
pared with 10000 acres last year
Condition December was 50 per cen
of normal, compared with 81 a yea
ago and IS the year average.
Ryc.--United States: Planted il
the fall of 1917, 6,12o,ooo acres, com
pared with 4.iS00O0 acres planted las
year. Condition December ! was 81.
Per cent of the normal, compared Wit
sS.S last year and 49, lie 10 sea
average conditions on December |.
For Montana: 5000 acres. com
pared with 1000 acres, last yea
Condition December /, was 80 per Gel
of the normal compared With %
year ago and " the 10 year aVerag
GUY FITZPATRICK,
Field Agen