Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-07-13
PREDICT DECREASE IN CORN CROP IN
 ARKANSAS IN 1918
w he a t, Rice and Small Grain Acreage Shows
 Big Increase.

l According to the Arkansas crop re port, compiled for the Bureau ot Crop Estimates, United States De- partment of Agriculture by Arkansas Field Agent Chas. s. Bouton of Springdale, great increases in acreage in small grain, oats, wheat and rice are noted and large increase in pro- duction of excess. of former years Is predicted.
 Corn and Irish potatoes, while plan ted more extensively than in former years, do not promise as we'll as in the year 1917. This is attributed to | weather conditions, immediately fol lowing planting. and also on account of the immature seed used in plant ing. Sweet potatoes also show a mark ed reduction from the crop of last year. The corn acreage on July 1, 1918, for Arkansas $ given at 2,830,000, as against 2,80O,O00 for last year; the production for this year is estimated at 55,165,000 bushels as against 67,- 100000 for 1917.
 Corn Acreage on Average It had been confidently predicted that there would be large increase in corn acreage in the State. Reports from all sections of the State, while indicating substantial increases in parts of eastern and southern Ark ansas also showed decided decrease in acreage in northwest and some in northern Arkansas, which nearly off set the gains made in the other parts of the State. It is estimated that there is an actual increase of 30,O00 acres above the large acreage of last year.
 The present condition of the crop however, is eight points lower than a year ago, and the estimated product ion therefrom is 12,000,O00 bushels less than last year. The stands of corn in the fields are spotted, though the vitality of the plant in most sec tions of the State is good.
 Wheat production for the year 1918 is estimated at 3,396,000 bushels, as against 3,3O0O,OOO in 1917.
 There is a reduction of two per cent in the forecast as compared to that of a month ago. with a conse- quent shrinkage of some 84,000 bush els from the estimated production of that date. The yields in many cases have disappointed the growers, the grain not being as plump as the apparent size and vigor of the plant indicated.
 The attention is drawn to the grati- flying estimated production for the country as a whole of 557,OOO,OOO bushels
 Large Oat Production
 The production of oats for the State in 1918 is estimated at II ,998,OO0, as compared tc 9 52O,OO0 bushels.
 The report of a month ago showed a 30 per cent increase in the acreage of this grain. The estimated production from this acreage is close to 12,O00, 900 bushels, an increase over last year of nearly two and one-half mil lion bushels.
 The oat acreage has been materially increased by reservation of land for wheat. which dry weather in the fall of last year prevented from seeding to that grain.
 Big Increase in Rice
 The total acreage of rice on July 1, 1918, is estimated at 172,5O0 as. against 146,000 in 1917.
 The estimated production for 1918 is estimated at 7,141 ,OOO bushels, as compared to 5,944,OOO in 1917.
 The seeding of a much larger per cent of early maturing varieties than heretofore is worthy of special men, tion. Due to shortage in water sup ply in some sections, the crop. had slightly deteriorated, but rains the last week in June greatly benefited it.
 Garden and Fruit Crops
 Meadows and pastures were adver- sely affected by the hot weather of June. but alfalfa and clover have yielded splendidly to date.
 Garden crops were unfavorabIy af- fected by the hot dry weather in June but with the exception of cabbage they are close to the five-year aver age figures for condition.
 Cantaloupes and watermelons are the only fruits in the State that prom ise an average yield. Blackberry canes were badly winter killed; peach trees, especially in low ground, were severe ly damaged and the peach crop in County by the April freezes, but the State is the poorest in years. Ap- ples were hurt especially in Benton Washington County promises two thirds of a crop.