The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1919-04-17
Missouri Crops.

Jefferson City, Mo-, April "a
s That the crop condition. of the 4,243.-
= 900 acres of Missouri wheat is 1903
per cent better than any April since
t 1882, indicating 100000 bushels, is
: the joint report of E. A. Logan and
e Jewell Mayes of Federal and State
Departments of Agriculture.
In Bates county the condition of
, wheat is los per cent of normal;
rye Io2 per cent; farm labor April 1,
=. 81 per cent compared to Heff11al de-
mands; oat seeding 81 per cent COM
pleted; spring blowing 80 per cent
done, and the prevailing value of
pasture lands 500 per acre,
The acreage OF wheat is sc per
cent more than last year, and the in
dicated yield of $4,000, 900 bushels is
81 per cent greater than the 52,873,-
900 bushels for 1918. The present
condition is 1903 against o2 for April,
1918. The farm value OF this crop
upon the basis OF S2.21 1$2.IS, K. c.,
Mo-, and $2.24, St. Louis) would be
$I76,8oo, 100000
The April condition of Missouri
wheat is 1903 per cent, which is high
er than any year of record except
1882 at no per cent. In April 1902
(under similar outlook) the condi-
| ton was 81 per cent mad the final
yield 1919 bushels. During the last
20 years the condition OF wheat on
July Ist has been lower than that OF
April Ist twelve times and the same
Tor above) seven years, and from
this data the crop may be expected
on July Ist to show loss of 10
points from April rather than gain.
Therefore, the April 1919 condition
OF 1903 less 10 points (the I2-year av-
erage declne) would indicate yield
OF oo.SSo, 900 bushels. Last April
was 92 per cent. Plants are rank and
farther advanced than usual. There
is but little insect damage and no
widespread plant diseases. Stock
pastured on the crop much later than
usual. In the northwest portion
overflows in March did but little
damage, except in low places where
the water stood for several days.
Spring wheat seeding is about
finished, with increased acreage in
its principal counties, but was not
sown so early as i'll, past two sea-
sons, nor was soil So favorable. Rye
condition in Missouri is IoI per
cent.
Oat seeding is IS per cent COM
pleted against 90 per cent last April.
The showers and SHOWS OF the first
half OF March delayed seeding, but
the last week OF March and first
week OF April rushed it to compile
ton. The greatest delay occurred i'll
the northwest and shortage of seed
reduced acreage elsewhere. In the
west and south oats were soWn in
good season.
The number of brood sows in Mis-
souri, is 90 per cent OF last year, the
reduction due to uncertain prices
and the poor corn crop of 1918.
Hogs on feed are fewer than last
year, and many half-fatted shoats are
being shipped to market. Feeders
are shipping in o5 per cent of their
corn.
The spring blowing is "a per cent
and farmers are not so
we'll forward with work as last year.
The northern third is retarded most,
the west side and south of the river
ton only one-third done. Breaking
good rains in many sections.
The average acre value of raw
md undeveloped land is $40. These
ands are principally situated in the
Ozark sections where the average is
is, and in southeast Missouri $3S.
The average value OF pasture lands
S SIS, but in the bluegrass sections
he range is from 500 in west CEN
raj to 500 in northwest. The bet
er pasture lands can be cropped,
While in the central and Ozark Sec
ions considerable land must remain
or pasturage, ranging from SEQ to
so per acre.
Farm labor is about IoI per cent
II normal demands. There is much
complaint OF the poor quality of the
abor supply, and that not all SOL
liers are returning to the farms
after discharge. The sit
ation is not so serious as last year,
nd much improvement. is expected
S the season advances, although at
harvest time the demand for farm
abor will be greater.
March was generally favorable for
rops, but too wet for blowing north
f the river. Alfalfa and clover
eeding has been heavy in some
ounties. Pastures are coming for
Yard rapidly. With two weeks of
God weather, grazing will be suffi-
lent. Fruit blooms are apparently
afe, no serious freezes occurring
uring March. Gardens are later
han last year, and only early vege-
ables have been generally planted.