The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1918-08-02
MONTANA CROP REPORTS
BY DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

Helena, July 25.-Crop reports By
county agricultural agents from nine
counties in the state for the week
ending July 18th, covering northern,
central and eastern Montana show
that winter wheat and rye harvest
has started in several sections. In a
majority of the counties reporting
there is suficiency of farm labor,
but in several the demand exceeds
the supply. The wheat yield varies
IN the different counties, the best
report coming from Saltwater, where
the average for the county of winter
wheat is production of rs bushels
an acre. Where rye was sown the
production promises to be larger per
acre than any other grain crop. The
detailed reports from the counties
Follow:
Fergus-Winter wheat harvest has
started in the eastern district, but
wheat is too short for binding and
header attachments are in great de-
mand. 1t is estimated that the Weld
in the Judith Basin will be from eigh:
to ten bushels per acre. Heavy rains
are needed for spring wheat.
Stillwater-Winter wheat is ready
for harvest. The grains are well
filled and the production for the
county will average 25 bushels per
acre. Spring wheat has been burned
In spots, but owing to recent rains
it will make a fair crop. Oats arr
short but filling well and a fair yield
is expected. The first cutting of al
falfa has been made and the yield
is about 80 per cent of the normal.
About 200 men will be needed in the
county for the harvesting season.
Sheridan-It is estimated that the
yield of wheat will be six bushels per
acre, oats and barley each ten, while
rye will yield the highest of any
grain. The latter crop is being har-
vested and there are approximately
10000 acres in rye in the county
1900 harvest. hands will be needed,
many of them for fall work.
Yellowstone--The harvesting of
winter wheat is under way, and
spring grain is headed out. The al
falfa crop is excellent but the first
cutting is late in some sections.
Sugar beets are doing well. There
is ample supply of labor in the coun-
| try Immediately surrounding Billings
but it is short in the county. The
going rate of wages is sos month
and board.
| Custer-Winter wheat and rye are
practically all in the shock and
spring grains are ripening rapidly,
especially where they have been in
jured by drouth. Corn is in excellent
condition. Alfalfa meadows are
growing rapidly and the second cut
ting will soon be ready. The labor
situation is not serious.
Richland-While in the extreme
western part of the county crops are
pretty well dried up, in other sec
tons, especially in the northern and
eastern parts, they are holding their
own as a rule. A good rain, it is
said, would increase the yield three
or four bushels an acre.
Blaine Owing to the continuation
of the drouth, crop failure is prac-
tically certain throughout the coun.
ty, except in the northeastern sec
ton. Haying is well along in the
valley and there will be fair yield
but the acreage is below normal ow-
ing to winter killing.
Hill-The drouth has continued
with hot west winds. Most of the
rye has been cut for hay and only 2
small percentage of the grain cror
will be cut for grain. Hay crop short
Lewis and Clark-Spring wheat
continues to make good progress ow'
ing to the cool weather. In the coun
try Immediately tributary to Helena
there is reported some shortage OF la
Dor. The pay is $500 a day and board
PAYMENT OF WAR INSURANCE