Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-06-21
WISCONSIN CROP
CONDITIONS


paign by the various agricultural a.
gencies in the state has been carried
on at the request Of the State Coun-
Gil for Defense. This has resulted in
increased acreage of all spring sown
crops in Wisconsin,; winter wheat has
increased about 10 per cent last fall.
It's condition is now about up to the
ten year average and much above last
year The estimated production is
100000 bushels compared to 100000
last year.
The acreage of spring wheat has
been increased fully 33 per cent over
last year, making total increase of
$4,000 acres. In many counties, the
acreage has been more than doubled.
Thousands of acres of old pasture land
and old meadow have been plowed up
and utilized as crops and in newer
sections of the state the farmers have
bent every effort to bring all of the
new land they possibly can under cul-
tivation, scarcity of labor being the
chief limiting factor. Much of the
new land has been put into spring
wheat and more to potatoes.
The acreage of oats has been in
creased approximately one per cent.
It's condition to date is SO per cent of
normal compared with SO per cent on
June 1, last year. From this figure,
a total production of 100000 bush
els are compared to the final estimate
of 81,400,000 bushels last year.
Barley acreage has been increased
approximately 3 per cent. It's condi-
ton to date is 80 per cent as compar-
ed to "a per cent of normal last year
A total yield is estimated of II 100000
bushels compared with 18,300,OOO bu-
shells last year.
On some of the heavier clay soils in
eastern Wisconsin, the stand of oats
and barley is thin, due to the hard
crust formed by the heavy rains which
fell shortly after planting.
The condition Of winter rye is 90
per cent of normal as compared with
70 per cent, year ago, an increase in
acreage of approximately 10 per cent
has taken place, largely sown from
pedigreed seed which will materially
affect the increase. There will be
approximately 100000 acres, and
prospective yield of 100000 bushels
as compared to 100000 last year.
Our estimates for corn and potatoes
will not be completed until next month.
1t is certain that the acreage of corn
has been very materially increased
in some places on the heavier soils of
the east central portion Of the state.
Replanting has been necessary. With
favorable weather from now on, Wis
consin should produce the largest corn
crop ever grown in the state.
The condition of the hay crop, "a
per cent, is trifle low due largely to
the poor condition of the second year
meadows, especially in the northern
half of the state where practically no
rain fell during May. New seedlings
are fully up to average, especially in
Walworth, Rock, Green, Racine, Ke-
nosha and Milwaukee and portions of
adjoining counties where serious dam
age from winter killing occurred.
In the central and central western
counties, the clover crop is one of the
best in years.
The acreage of sugar beets has been
materially increased and the sugar
factory at GAINESVILLE will be reopened.
Most of the seed terminated well, and
the condition of the crop at this time,
80 per cent, is above average.
Field beans are just. being planted
and judging from the heavy demand
for seed the usual acreage should be
greatly increased.
Apples apparently were not injur-
ed to any extent by the heavy frost of
May %. Fortunately, but few trees
were in bloom when the frost occur
red. Cherries are just coming into
blossom in Door County, while in Bay
field County, the reports indicated the
trees would be in blossom about June
II. Strawberries have not suffered
any serious injury from frost except
in scattered localities.
Pastures have been very backward
until the last days of May and early
June, but at present they are fully
up to normal, and dairy cattle are 10
ing we'll all over the state.
The first, second and fourth weeks
of May were cool throughout the state,
average from five to nine degrees be-
low normal. The third week was nor
NAL or slightly above. Little rain fell
until after the nineteenth, after which
copious rains fell in southern Wiscon-
sin but very little in northern Wis
consin where almost drought condi-
tions prevail. On the whole, the crop
situation in this state is better at this
time of the year than it has been for
several years. If fair weather con-
tinues throughout the season, Wiscon-
sin will, no doubt, produce the largest