The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-10
CROPS TN State
SHOW WONDERFUL
IMPROVEMENT IN
The PAST MONTH
Outlook August l, Near
Average, Is Report Of
State Field Agent

state Field Agent
| Grand Forks, N. D.. Aug. 10.--Ac-
cording to The Government Crop
Report issued today by the United
States Bureau of Crop Estimates,
the outlook for North Dakota crops
on August I was near average or
better except for rye and hay which
are noticeably poorer.
Reviewing state conditions Field
Agent A. J. Surratt says that June
drought continued up to July 20 with
exception Of a few spotted rains
mostly in the eastern part Of the
state. Moderate temperatures al see
prevented a near failure in the
western half Of the state. especially
| the northwestern counties. July
rainfall while normal or nearly so
except in north central and east
| central counties was either largely
or wholly recorded after July 20.
| These favorable heavy rains were
| too late to materially help bulk Of
rye crop, but the recovery Of all
spring sown crops especially late
crops has exceeded all earlier eXpec-
tations. In a general way crop con-
ditions taper from normal in eastern
counties to about half crop in north
western and a slightly better pros
peCt in southwestern counties. There
Is spotted grasshopper damage in
limited sections mostly west Of the
Missouri river Numerous farmers
are industriously combating this
pest with considerable success. Dam
age is often severe locally but 1t
rrlNr1 hi ETyi1l ~
state production. Local hail storms
were unusually severe in narrow
strips of Wells, Stutsman and La
Moure counties. and to some extent
in adjacent territory. Conditions at
the time this report was taken were
directly opposite from a month ago,
in that on July - with exception
of winter rye all crops were show
ing a daily substantial improvement.
A continuation Of present ideal fill
ing as well as growing weather will
warrant considering this state re-
port rather conservative by the time
it reaches readers hands.
The above conditions are espe
cially true Of wheat, oats and bar
ley, which show an excellent fill.
Heads are rather short in western
and not above average size in east
ern sections, but remarkably we'll
filled with large plump kernels.
Stands are quite uniformly good in
eastern, but both good and poor in
western half of state. Late acreage
representing about 25 per cent Of the
total wheat and so per cent Of oats
and barley acreage shows a. more
even and favorable stand due to late
July rains. This part Of the crop
gives very favorable promise and
has especially improved the farm
feed outlook in the western half of
the state. Early wheat, oats and bar
ley fields were ripening at the close
of the month and harvest is expect
ed to be general about August -.
Rye Is Below Average.
Excepting a few scattered coun-
ties, rye fields are below average
and vary sharply for the different
counties according to moisture con-
ditions. Yields inclined to be much
more favorable in eA1tern than west
rather poor pollination due to June
drought at least half Of the state
acreage representing as a rule the
earlier fields was unfavorably af-
fected by the July drought during the
filling stage. State quality is IN
clined to be below average due to
part Of the crop showing more or
less shrunken kernels. Harvest was
general at the close Of July with
yield s quite often disappointing
Spotted grasshopper damage to rye
kernels Is noticeable in southwestern
counties.
- Corn condition is slightly below
average for the state being average
or better in southern third Of the
state but becoming poorer and be-
low average from this line north.
State growth is rather backward.
July weather too dry and cool for
favorable corn growth
Flax outlook is about average for
the state. Very favorable in east
ern half of the state tapering off
to both good and poor in western
counties. Recent rains caused mark
ed daily improvement to late third
Of the acreage located largely in the
western half Of the state, which was
more or less bunchy due to uneven
termination following the dry plant
ing season. Height and thickness
Of stand ranges from fair to good
with the advancement Of the crop
ranging from bloom to the filled
stage. Occasional early fields while
looking fine are not showing aver
age number or size Of bolls, but con-
sidered as a whole the state flax
outlook is favorable.
Potatoes show best condition of
any crop in the state. There are
very few counties that do not show
g. condition above average. Crop is
setting favorably since recent fine
rains and bug damage is moderate.
Potato outlook is unusually favor
able.
Acreage Of both wild and tame hay
is somewhat reduced from last sea-
son. Tame hay reduction is due
chiefly to heavy winter killing OF al
falfa, clever and timothy. Wild hay
acreage reduction is due to fact that
much upland hay Is not worth cut |
ting due to drought. Hay condition
is below average but showing rapid
improvement since the recent rains
and it is probable that constable
late haying will be done. Late sowI1
millet of which there is a large acre
age is showing excellent improve
ment and will provide much more
tame hay than earlier expectations.
Pasture conditions below average but
showing splendid improvement since
late July rains.
Garden crop outlook is fair and
improving daily.