The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-05-17

Rye in Missouri, like wheat, has inn
proved during the month. Condition
SO per cent (12 points above last
May), indicates yield of 5O6,OOC
bushels of additional bread grain
which is double the States yearly
production. Condition in United
States, 1873 per cent against 1873 in
1917, and 90.2 for ten years, with in
d dicated yield of S2,629,000 bushels
against 6G,145,000 in 1917, and A..
547 900 for ten-year average.
The acreage of hay in Missouri is
reduced again by blowing for corn
The need for grain crops, and witt
poor stand of grass, have caused re-
duction. Present acreage is 3,254,000
condition 81 per cent, probable yielC
$685., 900 tons. Prairie hay acreage is
gradually decreasing with the mair
area still in west and southwest dis
tricts. All grass crops Except alfal-
fa) are backward, but rapid improve
ment is indicated because of recent
rains. Farms still have $4,000 tons
of last years crop.
The acreage OF hay in the United
States is 1851 900, condition of 1916
per cent, and the yield should be 1917
$4,000 tons. Yearly production is
about 50 million tons.
Spring blowing in Missouri is so
per cent done, against 7G last year,
and "a for ten years. This work is
more advanced than usual, and, but for
the rains of late April, would have
been completed. Soil working fine,
weather ideal, and farmers anxious
to put in the largest crop ever plant
ed, advanced spring work. Heavy
rains delayed plowlng somewhat in
the southeast district, neccssitating
blowing or discing again before plant
ing. In the United States, plowlng is
IT'S per cent done compared with TIA
in 1917, and 1914 for the ten-year av-
erage.
Spring seeding and planting is so
per cent done in Missouri, agreeing
with the ten-year average, but corn
planting is 10 points behind last year.
Seeding of oats, barley, fax, and
spring wheat was practically finished
in March. Some corn planted before
April rains must be repanted. For
tunately these rains began just before
planting turned into full swing, and
only a small portion of the corn acre
age was planted. Cotton will be
planted late. Spring planting in Unit
ed States is COS per cent completed,
against 5S.7 in 1917, and SIS past
ten years.
Condition of oats is 80 per cent
with uneven stand due to dry wealth
er; seed broadcasted not well covered
failed to come up well until rains,
while drilled oats are good stand, yet
small. Area is large.
Condition of pastures is 80 per cent,
coming fast. Last May, 85 per cent.
Southern Missouri now has fairly good
grazing, but the northern third has
had very little pasturage. Rains and
warm weather are fast bringing grass
forward. Pasturage in the United
States is 1871 per cent, against 81.0
last year.
Agricultural prospects in Missouri
were never better. All live stock are
thriving, spring lambs promising
crop, and sheep shearing just begun
Gardens have been slow, but fast i'm
proving. Farmers, enthused over con-
ditions, are trying to beat their 1917
yields, when Missouri produced 2E
per cent more than her ten-year av.
,erage. Fields have been well pre-.
pared. The greatest need is season
able weather. Conditions indicate the
largest planted acreage of cultivated
crops ever grown in this State.