The diamond drill., 1917-05-19
CROP AND WEATHER REPORT.

notwithstanding the unldNoTdnle \
weather conditions that prevailed |
during a considerable portion OF the
month, farming operations progress
ed fairly we'll except some delay in
seeding of oats and barley on heavy |
soils. Much plowing was done dur
ing the month, which, with larger |
amount of fall plowing than usual,
indicates that farm work is being ad-
vanced as rapidly as possible and
that there Is universal effort being
made to increase the acreage OF
spring crops.
Wheat deteriorated considerably
during the extremely cold weather OF
the first and second decades, but re-
covered 10 some extent during the re-
mainder OF the month under the in
huence OF copius rains and slightly
warmer weather In some counties
OF the southern and western parts oil
the state, where it was sown sum
ciently early and where soil condi-
tions were particularly favorable at
seeding time, fields are looking very
promising; but in all other parts OF
the state the plant is small and max
| ing but little growth because OF its
weakneded condition and the absence
OF warm weather to give ii a proper
start. Except in a few local districts
the acreage will be abandoned Is
! comparatively small, as many fields
that would be plowed up under nor
NAL crop and price conditions, will
be allowed TO remain this year even
though not more than one-half Of a
crop Is expected from them. The
acreage to be harvested Is consider
ably more than that of last year but
somewhat less than the normal acre
age of the state
Rye. being chiefly grown on the
lighter soils, and a harder plant Is
I'm much better condition as a whole
than wheat A larger acreage than
last year, but not more than the us
ual acreage, will be harvested.
Meadows and pasture are very
backward. having made practically
no growth in many sections up to the
end of the month. Glover is reported
10 have "hoaved" TO a considerable
extent. and reports are also quite
general that old timothy meadows
are in poor condition. Many OF these
fields will be plowed up and put into
spring crops. 1t is expected that the
acreage Of hay will be reduced there
by from the abnormal acreage cut
last year to practically a normal
one less. this year. There was
found to be larger per cent than
usual OF hay pn farms on May /, not
withstandiug the fact that the feed
ing season was unusually long and
cold and that hay has been fed more
literally than u lal TO compensate
some extent fr the shortage in
&c, straw and rain. This larger
farve may be attributed TO the low
#es that have prevailed through
the winter months, scarcity OF
for shipping frequent embar-
.s placed on shipments by various
Froads. and the poor outlook for
coming crop. This surplus, how
Is not uniformly distributed
fughout the state but Is mostly in
-districts that ordinarily ship
quantities of hay.
e month was unusually cold, the
temperature. 1913. averaging
ices below the normal. The cold
Bther of the month. however, was
te evenly distributed. the daily
prages being normal or below on
dates, except the warm period
Eur days extending from the It'll
G Goth inclusive. The highest
d temperature So degrees, occurred on
the 18th al Morenci. in the extreme
/. southern part OF the state. The low
est temperature, zero, occurred OF
! the Sth, at Humboldt Marquette
county.
The precipitation was somewhat
? less than normal in the Upper PENN
I sula and the normal counties OF the
I Lower Peninsula. In the southern
and central counties OF the Lowe