Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-04-27
Ar SITUATION SERIOUS

h'' far as its chief food grain is
rred. The condition of wheat
ahorted at Ill, which is by far
,owest condition reported in a
.oot many years. In the last 80
sro the lowest previous condition
n 1904. when the average was
,ss The average of April condi-
ian for the last 10 years is above 81.
rsosa comparisons show that the
rlnter wheat crop this year starts
sor the most unfavorable condi-
,,ons known in many years.
\ rhe season is one to three weeks
~ in this lies the possible hope
,at when spring sunshine and show
shall have been fully experienced
~ nlant may be found in somewhat
...,or vigor than now seems appar-
ont The unfortunate feature, how
oror is that the latter reports from
dov to day have grown worse rather
,ban better, showing that the adj
vance of growing conditions has re-
yaaled the situation even worse than
was feared a little earlier.
never undertake to report upon
crop factors until there is reason,
ohla apportunity for the forming of
correct judgment. For that reason
No effort is made at this time to esti-
mate the amount of wheat acreage
abandoned through winter-killing or
other disaster That it is very large
however. am afraid is beyond
doubt. Agents of Orange Judd crop
= reporting bureau this month were
asked to state whether in their judg-
ment there was more than usual or
less than usual winterkilling These
reports, without undertaking to go
INTO figures, show a very heavy loss
in Indiana and a less but material
loss in Illinois. The situation in Mis-.
souri, is a trifle uncertain, with some
sections showing very heavy winter
loss and others less than usual, but
the average appears to be more than
normal The situation in western
Kansas and southern Nebraska is UNI
certain. All returns indicate the
greatest apprehension arising from
tha thaf thn MI =,
start because of drouth last fall and
throughout the winter. On the
other hand there is evidence that ac-
tual winter-killing has not been very
extensive and there is some POSSIBLE
ity at least that prompt rains and
good growing weather during the
balance of the season may save some
!. OF the areas that now look hopeless.
Any attempt to forecast probable
crop results with the meager data
now available can necessarily have
but little value. Nevertheless. on
the basis of past experience and as
mat blC dCI6dSp llIldllY
abandoned shall be no more than
the average abandonment, the pres
eht situation might reasonably be in
'erpreted as indicating possible
winter wheat crop of about 100000
ooo bushels as against a total pro
AUCTION last year of $4,000. 600.
Inc serious fact in this connection is
tnat whereas on the first of July last
year this country had the largest
'affy-oVer stock of old wheat which
" mad possessed in a great many
years 1t will this year go into the
''op year at that date with the bins
4 swept clean and probably the small
- est stock of old wheat the country
H"S held at that date since accurate
records We're kept.
with the exception of western
Nahsas and Nebraska and portions
y, oklahoma and Texas there is am
p'e moisture in the ground at this
ING 10 give the wheat a good start
whenever growing weather is experi-
eHVed' There was a shortage of
moisture all winter over a consider
aDie part of the wheat territory. But
s'uation was relieved during
FEBRUARY by general and rather gen.
erous rainfall,
'H'S country needs this year. per
g. 40 II mas never needed before,
'p'e crops, and it is to be sincerely
peu mat the present outlook for
meat may be proved unnecessarily
S by later developments If
,ha.' II should become apparent
n aa' 'ne killed-out area is as large as
i, seems possible, a patriotic desire
~ - serve the country as well as self
!, 'srest will dictate the substitution
~. spring food crops upon every acre
ars ~. uoes not promise at least a mod
sta'e return.-B. w. Snow in North
Vest Farmstead. !" '>o''"-
rs PULLMAN W.,