The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-10

crop was farther from maturity. South !
of the Kaw and east of a line drawn
from Topeka thru Wichita to the Ok
lahoma border the wheat was so near |
ly matured as to suffer very little de-
probation. Elsewhere premature
ripening and some shriveling of the
grain was the general rule. The win
ter wheat outlook for Kansas, on the
whole, fell off per cent from June l
to time of harvest and the IS pei cent
condition at time of harvest forecasts
total production this year of 81 ST.
600 bushels. compared with the June
l forecast of 97,114,00O bushels Last
years production was only $3.50. 900
bushels.
CORN-Corn demonstrated the fact
that heavy rainfall is not absolutely
essential to its best growth in June
previous to time of tasseling and silk
ing. 1t came up to July / with fairly
good growth and color and clean of
weeds tho generally thin in stand. 1t
is needing rain now but was not Serl-
ously damaged up to July l. Prelim-
mary survey indicates that Kansas
planted 6,5y0,000 acres of corn this
year, which is 2,o66. 200 acres less than
la It. but almost equal to the 1912 Is
average. On July l the total acreage
averaged IS per cent condition, which
is 3 points higher than last year and
three points above the ten-year aver
age on the same date. This forecasts
1Sl, 1000 bushels this year. Last
years final estimate was for 12S,1S4-
900 bushels
OATS-Kansas's 2,261.OOO acres of
oats promises 81 per cent of a normal
crop, the depreciation since July be-
ing !6 per cent. The heat of June
caught large acreages in the central
ana western parts of the state in the
blossom and milk stages. Much of II
rlpened without grain and was emf for
such nay as it afforded. In the ex-
IRENE eastern third and parts of the
central third of the state the cr1, wa
fair to gCod altno straw was short and
weights running light A 5o.0e3 OOn
production is forecast, which is 70
oo7, 900 bushels less than June / fore.
cast and 1S,711,00 bushels les. thsn
last years crop.
BARLEY-From June 1 to Julv
barley dropped from so per cent to so
per cent of normal condition. The
present forecast is for 9.180,0OO BUSH
eIs production on 10000 acres The
greatest depreciation was in the NORTH
west where the bulk of the cron is
grown A considerable acreage has
already been cut for hay because
cooked either in the milk or blossom
stage.
HAY-The second cut of alfalfa
was very light and the prospect for
third cut is not promising The CON
ditlCn July 1 is rated at II per cent
OF normal. Glover and timothy were
ootn padly damaged by the heat and
production curtailed. They are rated
respectively at 7S per cent and so per
cent of normal. Wild meadows are
sun promising a fair crop. A total
production of 3,65O.0O0 tolls of hay is
promised this year. Last years crop
was estimated at 3,261,0OO tons.
POTATOES-The heat of June be-
gan when potatoes were in the bios
som, seriously curtailing the set and
plaEtlng the leaves of the plant Early
planting is best. but generally the out
look is poor Harvest has commenced
In the kaw valley Fifty commercial
growers in the kaw valley reporting
rate the condition July 1 at 46. The
states crop as a whole is rated at IS
per cent. Estimates indicate that
$4,000 acres were planted this wear
ana production of S,720,000 bushels
Is forecasted, compared with $4,000
acres and 4,446.00 bushels last year
GRAIN SORGHUM, BROOM CORN
Exclusive of cane and sweet sorghum
1t is estimated that Kansas has planted
LIZ 5000 acres to kafir, milo and
feterita this year compared with
2,126, 600 acres last year. The condi-
ton on July L was IS per cent; last
year, same date, 70; ten year aver
age, 80. Broom corn acreage has in
creased from $4,000 acres to $1,000
acres. The condition is very satisfac-
tory and rated at 81 per cent, COM
pared with IS a year ago. The bulk
or the broom corn is in the southwest
where moisture conditions have been
comparatively better than in other
sections of western Kansas. Had it
not been for the difficulty experienced
in moving last years crop because of
the freight embargo this year would
have undoubtedly witnessed a much
larger inc ease in acreage
PASTURES-Blue grass pastures in
the eastern half of the state are very
badly burned out and stock water
growing scarcer. Long grass, wild
pastures are still supplying ample
forage but need more rain. The very
bad condition of pastures in the north
and northeast districts has improved
somewhat since July 1 because of To-
cal showers. The ranges of the west
vary from so to 80 per cent of normal,
being especially satisfactory in the ex-
IRENE southwest. The state average
is "a per cent of normal
SUGAR BEETS-The acreage for
the Garden City factory is larger than
usual and the condition rated at 95
per cent. A small acreage of the early
| sowing was hailed out and had to be
| resown. The plants are generally past
| the thinning and the stand good. The
present outlook is that at least twice
as much sugar will be made as in the
| 1917 campaign
| THEY DROVE OFF TODAY