The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-11
WE5IIlD!ullItAs
IN GOOD SHAPE !
Crop Prospects in This Part
Of Reserve District
Above Average.
STATES NEW REPORT
Seed Shortage Over Entire
Area May Curtail Acre
age This Year.

>
Midwinter crop predictions in the
Ninth federal reserve district are
usually unsatisfactory. says the De-
cember statement Of Agent John II.
Rich. At the same time a survey of
the situation develops some inforna-
ton upon which spring conditions may
be forecasted. In Montana, the acre
age of winter wheat is about the av-
erage. and the prospects for spring
wheat are only fair on account OF the
shortage of good seed, which extends
over practically all of the Montana
grain territory and the western half of
North Dakota, and the shortage of feed,
Bigger Spring Wheat Acreage.
In the northwestern counties of
Montana, the prospects for spring
planting are better than in other sec
tons of the state. Much land that
was broken last year for flax will
probably be seeded to wheat this
spring. In North Dakota, there has
been a very heavy increase in the
rye acreage, running from so to as per
cent over last year. Present indica-
tions are that there will be a decrease
of from 10 to Is per cent in the spring
wheat acreage, although a favorable
spring with the present attractive
grain prices may have the effect of
overcoming to some extent the pres
ent prospective shortage. South Da-
kota has heavily increased the rye
acreage, and in common with Mime
sofa and North Dakota, Will probably
show a decreased planting of corn.
There is some increase in the rye acre
age fin Minnesota, and the prospect of
n considerable increase in the spring
planting Of barley.
Seed Supply Important.
The extent to which extremely favor
able prices for live stock have offset
the 1917 losses on grain crops through
out the entire district is hardly appre-
ciated except by those who have close
ly followed the situation One of the
fortunate results of the past year is
ttat farmers were thus enabled to dis
count the serious effects of the crop
failure. In western North Dakota and
eastern Montana. there will be many
instances in the spring of farmers,
especially those who have recently gone
into these sections, who will need fl
nancial assistance in putting in their
crops Over the remainder Of the dis
trict. farmers are In very fair finan-
cial shapGA Eha 80 c3t1fsk.An1ssse la$s1aAl
problem at this time is that of obtain
ing satisfactory supplies Of seed, and Of
providing a method for the financing
of seed purchases in the districts that
We're hardest hit by last years failure.
There Is a noticeable change in pub
lie opinion with the coming of the new
year. The determination of the peo-
pie OF the northwest to stand solidly
by the government and render the
fullest possible support in men and
money under present war conditions is
clearly apparent. People who. In 1917,
kept business on an even keel and
were yet able to subscribe s20S, 1871 goo
for the purchase OF war bonds. and who
are represented In every branch Of the
naval and military service. and who
have sent large forces to the fighting
front and to the training camps. may
be depended upon during the coming
year 10 fully discharge any RESPONSE
hilities that are placed upon them.
Business Shows Improvement.
The business outlook throughout the
district has improved somewhat dur
ing the past ten days as a result of
the cancellation Of railroad priority or
ders. and there is a prospect that need
ed shipments will come forward more
readily than for some time past. While
no appreciable change III the traffic
situation has yet occurred. there Is
considerable hopefulness On the part If
lines Of business chiefly intert sted that
the result of government control Will
be to slowly restore order, and put an
end to the serious disturbances in the
movement of traffic that have contin-
ued for many mnoths past
Executives of many of the more inn
portant business institutions that are
dependent upon the prosperity Of the
district anticipate normal business
during the first half of 1sls. Their
reports indicate confidence that the
volume of trade will hold up well. and
that the result. measured in terms of
money, will compare favorably with
1917, which, as q whole, was a very
good year. In terms OF material, sales
will probably be less. The enhanced
value of all goods and commodities Is
factor in the present situation that is
proving to be Of some importance.
There Is no hesitation 40 far ON the
part oil country trade, and advance or
ders for spring delivery are very salts
factory. In the western part of the
district, where the failure of the 1917
crop had a detrimental influence. trade
is not as satisfactory as in other por-
fions of the district, but the outlook as
a whole shows nothing to cause APP
prehension. but on the contrary is such
rs to indicate that in the northwestern
states business will move along much
the same as usual. with some curtail-
ment Of the sale Of the less necessary
article. and with some reduction in
sales measured by yards and dozens.