The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-08-02
NORTH DAKOTA
WHEAT CROP
BIZ T.. C.. Rodners

ner spring wheat state of the ma.
ton will follow last years failure
with another, not quite so severe.
North Dakota may get 100000 0O
bushels this year.
That s the best summary of the
estimates of hundreds of farmers
grain dealers, bankers and other
crop observers whom met in
various portions of the state.
But to reach this 6O,OOO,OO1
bushel mark favorable weather
must continue during the rest OF
this month and until the wheat is
cut.
A repetition of the hot winds
and rust which came during the lat.
ter part of July, 1916, would bring
the yield below that of 1916, which
was little over 100000 bus.
The government s July estimate
of 100000 bushels for North
Dakota was entirely too optimistic
North Dakota farmers insist.
l heard many good, conservative
grain men place the estimate at
100000 bushels. They took in.
to consideration probable no,
winds, hail and other crop destroy
ing conditions.
The wheat acreage this year is
slightly less than last years. This
was due to high price of seed
wheat and to the hanging over of
winter weather during the carly
spring planting season.
Along the Red river wheat is in
better shape than anywhere else in
North Dakota. As one goes west
it gets worse.
Early wheat usually is in worse
shape than that planted late. This
is due to the late spring, cold
weather and lack of rain during
the early growing season.
AT the time when rain was most
needed and when it could have
done the largest good it didn t
come. Later on practically the
whole eastern half of the state was
we'll drenched, but even there the
rain was not general. Some local
tiles were we'll moistened; others
nearby were preached. All over the
state they talk of a spotted crop,
meaning that some fields blessed
with rain are looking fairly we'll,
others around are dried up.
Flax looks fine through the
state. 1t dosen't need as much
rain as wheat.
Oats, barley and rye will run
about normal, with rye slightly to
the bad. Much winter rye was
frosted early in the spring.
In the southeastern counties
Cass, Sargent, Richland and Ran
som-wheat is better this year
than it was last, when it was flood
ed by excessive rainfalls. Even
there it will not average more than
Ii bushels to the acre. 1t has
headed shor; and tie stalk is short.
What wheat there is will be better
than last years in grade, as the
heads are we'll dnvc! ,pe!, tough
shorter than normal
John Dairymple, part owner and
manager of the faT Gus Dai..ylnple
farms near ';lss-l,cn, saiG he
would be We'll satisfied with l3 bus.
to the acre. Last year he got six
bushels. Mr.. Dairymple has the
largest acreage Of any grower in
the state-l3,OOO of his $4,000
acres are i'm wheat.
At Valley City and Jamestown
wheat is still shorter in straw and
head, though the grade is better
than last year. This south central
portion of the state will run from
eight to 10 bushels to the acre,
most farmers believe. They have
had some good rains since the last
week in June.
The extreme southwestern part
reports fair wheat stand. Farmers
III that section believe they will get
a normal yield. But this applies
OF few counties.
That portion of the state from
Valley City to Minot, and from
there west TO the Montana line, has
experienced the worst climatic con
dltions. Spring cold and late
seed laid in the ground too long
no rain for six weeks after plant.
ing and now, though the stand is
fairly good. straw and heads arc
abnormally short.
The last two weeks brough;
some rains here and there in this
part and the head are filling out
i'll fine shape, promising a good
grade. Much of the wheat will bt
too short to cut. and some of it has
been turned under for summer fall
low. This. too. is true of winter
rye.
IF tho C.ntr.l onJ uyo..,,,,