The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-12-27
MISSOURI CROPS, DEC, 1918

IlVp lDcyCoUYuUV DubllClS, WIGd
production 52,258,000 bushels, is tn,
December report on final acreages anc
yields announced here today by Fielc
Agent E. A. Logan and Secretary
Jewell Mayes of the u. S. Depart
ment and State Board of Agriculture
The wheat crop for Missouri fol-
1918 is 100000 acres, at II bushels
per acre, producing 52,258,000 bush
els. Corn for 1918 finally shows tc
be 6,693,000 acres, at 20 bushels av.
erage, totaling 133,S6O,000 bushels.
The wheat seeded this fall is A..
243,000 acres against 2,935,000 one
year ago, an increase of 100000
acres (36 per cent? over 1917, and
nearly double the 100000 acres sown
in 1916.
The Investigations on 27,4OO farms
Tor nearly 10 per cent of the State
indicate large increase in the seeded
wheat acreage in every county pos
sibly excepting st. Louis county
where increase was heavy in 1917
Even in counties where wheat was
largely grown in past years, the acre
age exceeded the official quota asked
by the Federal Government. Seeding
has continued into the winter, and
fall blowing continued to the middle
of December.
Condition of wheat at this time is
1903 per cent, the highest in 35 years,
showing everywhere the "best ever
outlook. The weather has been warm
with plenty of moisture, and the plant
has made a wonderful growth--in
fact, in some places, is ranker than de-
sirable. Seed bed was well prepared,
and even late-sown fields show ia
vorable growth. Hessian fly is pres
ent in scattered localities, but not
enough to endanger the crop as a
whole. Wheat is affording bountiful
pasture, although farmers in many
communities are reluctant to turn
stock into the fields on account of soft
ground. Commercial fertilizer was
used on 35 per cent of the acreage,
and more would have been applied if
obtainable. Twenty-Five per cent of
the seed wheat was treated for smut.
The acreage of rye increased s
per cent over last year, $4,000 acres
being sown in the State; condition
101 per cent, which is better than last
year.
The wages of farm labor increas-
cd sharply during 1918. The aver
age wages of men per month with
board is $35, without board, $45. Az
crage wages per day for harvest work
with board was $285, and without
board $340. The wage for other than
harvest labor was $190 with board
and $286 without board. In some
counties the day wages and monthly
hire ran much higher than the state
average.
The apple crop upon farms was very
disappointing, and exceedingly poor in
quality, while that of the commercial
orchards was much better end brought
high prices. About 80 per cent was
shipped out of the county in which
produced.
Due to the pressure to produce grain
crops, the hay lands of the State are
reduced nearly 10 per cents, and blue
grass pastures reduced 10 per cent In
the northern third of the state the re-
duction is as high as Is per cent,
showing the great effort to meet war
time demands in food. Contrary to
the movement to reduce hay acreug-
es, alfalfa shows a decided tendency
to increase. The alfalfa arceage this
year is nearly so per cent more than
in 1910, and per cent more than 1917.
the heaviest gains in counties along
the rivers and nearby uplands.
General farming conditions are good.
Fall blowing on Dec. LIST, was "a per
cent completed, and in the northern
half 80 per cent. While labor and ma
chinery had been short, weather and
soil conditions have been abnormal
ly favorable.
Corn gathering is two-thirds COM
pleted, and in the northern part three
fourths is cribbed due to the good
weather, hard work and prompt ma
turity. Yields are not up to earlier
expectations, but the quality is we'll
above last year especially in our
northern sections.
The soil goes into winter thorough
ly wet in most districts and in some
counties with more moisture than
since 1911. Roughage is scarce in
many localities. Water is plentiful.
With our abnormal acreage of grow
ing wheat, more rye, and with good
fall blue grass, all affording fine pas
ture, and because of the open winter,
live stock generally are in good shape
and the forage feeding outlook is now
easier.
The farmers of Missouri, from the
first hour of the World War, pressed
past all previous precedents in plow-
ing, planting and production. We
broke all records in "Victory Wheat
Crop" sowing, which will sell on the
1926 basis, although peace shall have
come to all the world. This has been
accomplished with glamour of glitter
ing arms and flaming banners, and
without inspiration coming with the
glory of the crowd, in response to the
Governments call to patriotic duty in
he face of most discouraging condi-
ions in late summer, along with seri-
Jus shortage of labor and machinery,
high prices, and the fertilizer famine.
Jefferson county feels much honored |
o have the Mayor of st. Louis visit |
he county and cut the finest cedar |
rec in it for a Xmas tree for the chill |