The Washington herald., 1918-08-14
GREAT CROPS
now ASSURED
Holland Sees Blessing IN
Hot Wave, Removing
Fear Of Frost.

h ~~A - AOSNs
The farmers IN the Northwest are
rejoicing because the danger Of
early frost in rapidly passing away.
The excessive heat and dry weather
which has prevailed over almost all
the northern half OF the country.
and which may have impaired some
what the growth Of corn, nevertbe-
less has compensa tions because the
one thing which wheat-growing
farmers Of the Northwest feel ap-
prehensive about at this time Is the
coming OF frost. The government
report issued a day or two ago con-
firms the belief, which has been
due to information received in this
city from the correspondents OF our
bankers with those in other parts
Of the country. that there would be
approximately 500, ,OOO. 900 bushels OF
wheat harvested and that the
chances are excellent that we shall
harvest 3.oO0OOo.000 bushels Of corn
With respect to corn. the inforna-
tion is all the more gratifying be-
cause from all parts of the country
information comes to This city that
the quality Of corn this year is ex-
cellent. whereas. owing to climatic
conditions last year. notwithStand-
ing the large amount of corn har-
vested, a considerable part Of IL
was of an Inferior quality. Early in
the spring reports from the North
west which reached New York in
dicated that the farmers were IN
serious embarrassment. fearing that
there would not be a sufficient SUD-
ply Of good seed corn. The gov
ernment, the bankers and Industrial
I organizations undertook to secure
a supply Of excellent seed corn, and
the forecast now OF a harvest of ap-
proximately 5000 rld. 900 bushels OF
corn. all of which Is Of the best
quality. reflects the cooperation
given by the government. the bank
ers and industrial organizations
which undertook to secure an ade-
quate supply OF seed.
In the Northwest.
Already in the Northwest the
harvesting Of a very large crop is in
progress. Wisconsin, Minnesota srd
South Dakota are TO yield abundant
haryests and to contribute greatly TO
the aggregate Of nearly sO0yOoo. 100
bushels Of wheat. By the middle OF
August threshinE Of wheat will be
well under way IN South Dakota ard
Southern Minnesota.
| Montana is alwa,7s looked upon with
something OF romantic interest w
those who have in mind the food
/ harvosts OF the United States. The
years are not many since that great
! State was regarded as chieay oc-
cupied I'm producing minerals and
cattle. Col. William B. Thompsoa.
whose boyhood was spent in Mon
tana and who Is still in the youth OF
middle age. said this morning that in
his boyhoOd days mining and ranch
ing were the chief. almost the eN-
elusive. occupations of the people of
Montana Long Ego James J. Hin
/ predicted that Montana would become
! one of the greatest wheat-raisilg
1 States in the Cnion. Mr.. Hill lived
long enough 10 know that his pre-
oiction was verified. Col. Thomp-
son speaks with enthusiasm Of the
| growth OF agriculture in Montana.
The central counties Of the State
and the river valleys as well as the
irrigated districts are about 10 harvest
n
end OF the Yellowstone Valley and in
the wheat belt which TANKS the judith
basin there has been considerable
damage to crops.
Calling Upon the banks.
On account OF the great harvest. the
/ high prices Of commodities and Of Ia
Dor. the banks in the crop-growing
section Of the country. especially in
! the Northwest. have been c. LED upon
TO meet heavy demands for funds.
This has made IL necessary for the
banks 10 turn a considerable part OF
the demand over to their correspond
ents in the large cities, especially New
York. In the magnitude Of other fin
ancing operations the movement OF
money 10 the agricultural districts has
been lost sight Of, although in normal
times il would have been regarded as
the chief financing OF the season.
Money in great volume has been sent
into the agricultural districts. and this
movement will continue until late Sep
tember. Then il will cease. becauss
the marketing OF the crops VIII begin
at that time. II was undoubtedly this
) which the Secretary OF the Treasury.
Mr.. McAdoo, had in mind when he de-
cided TO begin the campaign for the
Fourth Liberty Loan late in Sebtem-
Der. Hundreds OF millions Of dollars by
tha ime will have been received by ths
} farmers for their crops. and the inii-
cations are plentiful that many Of
them, If not all, purpose utilizing a
considerable part OF the money .hUS
received in purchasing liberty bonds.
I The crops and the money which VII
be received for they will 60 far
towards making the Fourth Liberty
Loan as great a success as was tha
third. For now there is excellent uu-
derstanding in the agricultural dis
trict that aside from any patriotic
motives, the liberty bonds offer the
best. because it is the safest. sorln
OF investment for the farmers: and
Furthermore there is good understand
ing that IL there should be necessary
or occasion these bonds NAV be IS
freely utilized as actual cash.
Il The crops OF 1918 measure up full
ly TO the 0ther stupendous activities
in which e United States is now
occupied. And the promise OF the
harvest already relieves much Of the
Il apprehension that was felt in the
\ sHring lest there be a shortage OF
food for c'Irsel- and our allies.
HOLLAND.