The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1917-04-12

That Missouri has q smaller aa1r'
plus of food decreased hold inge
of grain and fewer meat animals
o. feed than one year ago isindi'
Gated BY the report issued today
lby w. Il. Nelson, assistant secre.
tary Of the Missouri State Board
Of Agriculture. The report fol
lows:
| While Missouri farmers gener-
ally are planning and working to
increased acreage and yields to
the maximum, they are seriously
handicapped because Of lack OF
help. In some sections acreage Is
being further limited by the cost
and scarcity Of seed. Fortunately
though, with much good weather
during March, farming opera
tons are well advanced, the soil Is
in excellent condition, and more
early gardens have been planted
than ever before. Needed rains,
falling SLOWLY and being nicely
distributed, have been of benefit.
WHEAT-The condition Of
Missouri wheat cannot at this
time be definitely determined.
There is no question, however, but
that the crop has suffered greatly
because Of lack of moisture and
snow covering. 1t is also true
that during the last few days
much wheat has improved. Cor
respondents estimate present con-
dition of wheat at 500, as com.
pared with a 15-year average OF
1854, but many state that it is too
early to report accurately. Just
how much the abandoned acreage
will be must yet be determined.
Many fields, though, have been
put to oats or will 60 to corn or
other crops. There is a probable
ity that some fields in which the
wheat has shown practically no
life may, under favorable condi-
tons, yet come out in fair shape.
For this reason we would strongly
advise that farmers wait for
further developments before turn
ing under the wheat. With the
world demand, present and pro-
spective, for bread, let no mis-
take be made. Later, if the wheat
proves too poor to let stand, the
ground may be put to corn or
other crop. In this respect Mis-
souri, is especially favored as COM
pared with states of limited rain
fall On every Missouri acre
where wheat fails corn-corn
good for man or beast-will grow.
Wheat condition by sections, is.
now estimated as follows: North
east, Sc; Northwest, So; Central,
g.; Southwest, So; Southeast, SO.
The highest April condition dur
ing the last fifteen years was 1913
in 1914. The state yield for that
year averaged III bushels per
acre. In 1916 the April l condi-
ton Of Missouri wheat was 65.S
and the average state yield 8.3
bushels. The acreage seeded for
the 1917 crop was but 100000
acres. being much below the state
average.
CORN-Stimulated by high
prices and driven by shortage
of supply, farmers are planning to
plant every acre possible. 1t is,
Of course, too early to even esti-
mate accurately as to probable
acreage. The 1916 planting was
on 7,368,334 acres. With favor
able weather and almost ideal soil
conditions, preparations for a
crop were never better advanced
at this time of year. In a number
Of the southern counties some
corn has been planted. Core
spondents estimate that AZ per
cent of the corn ground has been
plowed as compared with 35 per
cent one year ago. Sixty-two per
cent of the reports show search
ty Of seed corn while 80 per cent
indicate q sufficient supply. In
a number of counties there is a
surplus Of good seed. From few
Of the southern: counties where
crops were very poor last year
there come reports to the effect
that scarcity Of feed for teams
will result IN reduced planting.
OATS The Missouri oat crop
was sown under the most favor
able conditions and showers are
it off in fine shape. 1t
Is estimated that IS per cent of
he crop is in the ground. April
seeding last year was 20 per