The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-07-13
MISSOURI CROP REPORT

The July crop report issued today by
w. L. Nelson, assistant secretary of
the Missouri State Board of Agricul-
ture, tells of ideal harvest conditions
and better yields of wheat and oats
than were anticipated a month ago.
The report, based upon July /, con-
ditions, follows:>
Missouri crops, as whole, are very
promising. There is practically no
complaint of damage by insect pests.
Weather conditions have been favor
able, although rather low tempera-
lures prevailed during the early part
of June. While there has been but
little damage from drouth, rain is
needed in practically the entire south
ern half of the State as we'll as in va
rious counties to the north. In few
central and southwest counties condi-
tons are now critical. Gardens, gen.
orally, are in need of rain. There is
some complaint as to scarcity of help
and high wages demanded for poor
services rendered.
CORN-While corn is about ten
days late, it is we'll cultivated and of
fine color. The growth during the
last few days has resembled that of
Jacks bean stalk" Correspondents
report some corn laid by, while the
end of June found planting still in
progress in the bottoms that were ov-
erflowed. Condition of corn, for the
State, is 88, as compared with 80.4
as the 10-year July average. This
is also the highest July condition for
a decade. By sections, corn condi-
ton figures are: Northeast, 87.6;
Northwest, SO; Central, 80; South
west, Sc; Southeast, 1876. Core
spondelts estimate that 425,000 acres
of corn, 100000 of which were in the
Northwest section, were overflowed
during the June floods. Much of this
land has been replanted. Apparently,
the 1917 corn acreage will still be be-
tween and 8 per cent greater than
for 1916, or slightly more than T.
100000 acres. Indicated acreage in
creases are: Northeast section, SO
per cent; Northwest, 2; Central, 1917;
Southwest, 2.7; Southeast, 1876.
WHEAT-Owing to the very limited
acreage, the total yield of Missouri
wheat will be small, but the crop is
making a great finish" With high
ly favorable weather conditions, the
outcome during June was wonderful
While wheat is generally thin on the
ground, heads are we'll filled and ber-
ries plump, so that the quality is ex-
cellent. A preliminary estimate plac-
es the average yield for the State at
IL bushels, the range being from 5 to
30 bushels. By sections, estimated
yields are: Northeast, lib; North
west, 14.1; Central, 1919; Southwest,
11,6; Southeast, 1874. With the high
quality of the wheat, the prospect is
that these figures, if changed, will be
raised rather than lowered. The orig
inal acreage for the Missouri wheat
crop, as reported by the Board of
Agriculture representatives, was L.
1888 = approximately 100000
acres. Of this, 14.4 per cent was aban-
doned because of winter killing or
was lost by overfows, high water dur
ing June having taken slightly more
than $4,000 acres. Deducting the to-
tai estimated loss of 100000 acres,
there remain 1,539,300 acres from
which to harvest the 1917 crop. This,
at IL bushels per acre, forecasts a
yield of 1874 500 bushels, or ap-
proximately three and a half million
bushels better than was indicated in
the June report. On July 1, one-third
of the crop had been cut and harvest
conditions since that time have been
ideal.
OATS-The Missouri oat crop of
this year may break all records for
the State. The condition is 1905, sec
ton figures being as follows: North
east, 101; Northwest, 80; Central,
1895; Southwest, 1862; Southeast,
98.9. Reports show 16 per cent of the
crop harvested by July Northeast,
2.5; Northwest, Oh; Central, 1915;
1858; Southeast, 23.4.
Wheat and oats have ripened at par
ticularly the same time and in few
instances the oat crop has been cut
first. The preliminary estimates for
oats indicates an average WELD of 80
bushels, or by sections as follows:
80; Northwest, 1852; Cen
trail, 1928; Southwest, 30.5; Southeast,
28.4. On 1,115,920 acres the total in
ilSdISu JlSiu 10 dDuuI %, 1U,UOU DuSu-
els, or double the average State yield
for 15-year period.
OTHER CROPS Meadows are on
Iy fair, although there has been con-
siderable improvement. Much old
clover was winter killed and weeds are
bad. Timothy has shown some out
come but many meadows are full of
Alfalfa is fine, and all hay
IS being saved in good shape. Condi-
lion of timothy is 76; clover, rs; al
falfa, 80; cotton, 70; fax, 90; tobac-
20, 80; broom corn, "a; potatoes, 81;
prairie hay, IS; pasturse, "a; apples,
"a; peaches, %. Sorghum acreage
shows an increase Of 16 per cent. Cot
,on, grown in the Southeast section,
IS not making satisfactory growth
Prairie hay, grown principally in the
Southwest section, is in need of rain.
Potatoes in many counties are being
tut short by dry weather.
LIVE STOCK-Cattle on feed are
estimated at sc per cent as compared
with one year ago; cattle on grass,
DO; hogs on feed, SO; spring pigs, 81