The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-10
CORN CROP SMALL
Paxton Report Shows Poor
Condition in Kansas.
State Speeding Up Her Produce
ton, Is U. S. Statement.

conditions IN Kansas yerlIieS the re-
cent statement by j. C. Mohler, secre-
tary of the state board of agriculture.
to the effect that the corn crop is the
second smallest in the history of the
state. Paxton, who issues the report
for the federal government, says win
ter wheat conditions are excellent,
while the alfalfa hay crop averages
2.03 tons an acre.
One OF the features of the Paxton
report is the showing that Kansas is
speeding up her meat production. ThA
number Of hogs in the state has in
creased five per cent in the last year,
he says. Shortage of feed, however
has compelled many farmers and
growers to marketNlight hogs
Paxton's report follows in part:
That next to the smallest corn crop
in the past forty-four years is now
fo-ecasted for Kansas is the out
SANDING feature of the September
crop report issued today by Edward
C. Paxton, field agent for the United
States department of agriculture. A
condition of % per cent of normal
on September 1 indicates an average
yield of 1872 bushels, and a total pro-
duction of $1,000, 900 bushels for the
state. The year 1913 still holds the
record for low production when the
states crop was estimated at 23,424,-
900 bushels. Last years crop totaled
128,1S4 1000 bushels. The average pro-
OucClOn OF the past ten years Is 1z0,-
266,900 bushels. The best average
yields this year will be found in the
northeast part of the state, north of
the Kaw and east of the Blue. Fair
averages are also in prospect vim
Jewell, Smith and Phillips counties,
along the north central border and
in Cheyenne. Sherman and Rawlins
counties of the northwest. Elsewhere
in the state except in few scattered
counties of small acreage in the west
the yields will be SO light as to spell
almost a failure. The filling of si1os
and cutting of fodder is already near
1y completed over the eastern half of
the state. In the northwest several
weeks of warm weather are still
needed to insure maturity without
frost damage.
Wheat-Good and early preparation
of the seed bed for fall sowing has
been the general rule and drilling is
already well under way. Recent rains
have afforded ample moisture in most
portions of the state to insure sprout-
| ing and an early start for the plant.
The seed wheat loans being made in
| the western and northern oounties-and
/. the recent proclamation guaranteeing
next years price have tended to stiff
fen the Kansas farmers determination
| to produce win the war; wheat
crop next year. Prospects grow bright
| er every day that the state will make
new record in wheat acreages this
fall. Estimates on sowing will be
made December 1. Eastern. Kansas
counties that a. year ago sowed from
| two to six times their normal acreages
promise to show another phenomenal
| increase this season. Shortness of man
power for putting in the crop has been
largely overcome by the use of the
| tractor, increased hours of service, and
forehandedness in preparation. Many
| kansas farmers have been doing two
! mems work
| Hay-The average total yield of
alfalfa is estimated at 2.O3 tons per
acre with total production for the
state of 2,4S1.s41 tons;~ 346,591 tons
less than in 1917. The average yield
| OF wild hay was only so tons per acre,
totaling 614,466 tons. Timothy yield
was the highest for years. being only
.63 tons per acre with total tonnage
! for the state of 13S,600. For all hav
1 in the state the total production this
wear is estimated at 1881 900 tons This
is less than the 1917 production which
was itself very light crop. If Kansa $
| livestock is to fare well this winter this
shortage in hay will need to be over
come by utilizing every possible ton of
| fodder and enAlage. An unusually
large acreage of cane or sweet sor-
ghnm which is now in fair condition
will assist in overcoming the shortage.
/ Farmers generally are inclined to Law
ropghage for their own use and mar
ket their surplus hay at the attrac-
tive high prices.
Hogs-Itis estimated that there are
now los per cent as many hogs on
farms for fattening as year ago. Old
corn is growing scarce and where the
new corp is a total failure there is an
increasing tendency to market light
hogs which will undoubtedly continue
Tor some time. In the northeastern
part of the state where considerable
new corn is in sight farmers are hold
ing on to their stock for finishing
narrowing of the fall crop of pigs has
| begun and in those sections producins
little or no corn there will certainly be
considerable number of pigs thrown
on to the market a. little later. These
pigs will be taken care of by those
sections having corn either in this
state or adjoining sfates