The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-03-10

A series OF reports from all portions
OF the district just completed indi-.
Gates that it is reasonable to forecast
q ten per cent increase in wheat acre.
age In the eastern half of North Da-
kota and in Minnesota Throughout
the eastern portions of both North and
South Dakota, Minnesota and Wiscon-
sin, there will be substantial increas-
es in the barley acreage due to the
results from this crop last year.
Throughout this area a satisfactory
amount Of fall work was accomplished
last year. In parts of the western
half of North Dakota, and in portions
Of South Dakota, acreage increases
will depend to some extent on favor
orable conditions in the early spring.
lit he spring proves to be early and
favorable to blowing, it will have I;
beneficial effect upon the acreage o,
all crops.
Montana planted an increased acre
age Of winter wheat last fall. While
there was q deficiency of moisture
during the winter and some anxiety
! because wheat was not well covered,
the reports\ do not 80 far indicate
that any considerable amount has been
winter killed. In western Montana
during the last few weeks, there has
been satisfactory precipitation iand
conditions are excellent. .u
In eastern Montana there Is prospect
OF a heavy planting Of spring wheat.
The ground is in good shape for sprlne
work requirements. A great deal OF
seed has been arranged for through
the Federal government.
In the Gallatin Valley, the prospects
are for an increased acreage. Mon
tana has profited by mild winter and
stock has come through IN very good
condition. Sheep are beginning to
move freely at a nominal price OF
about $500. This figure is Tor ewes
to lamb the latter part of March and
April. Indications are that the price
will settle to $l4.O0 and $l4.50.
The extent to which the last crop
has Increased prosperity in South sDa-
lkota may be judged from the follow
ing paragraph from letter OF an old
and reliable banker.
Our farmers are generally turning
their attention to stock. Last year we
harvested one of the best average
crops of wheat that this gdistrict has
seen and many farmerAFtOOk as high
as $1,000 to $1,000 froInta single quar-
ter of wheat land. Our locality has,
of course, been fortunate, and has MOI
known failure since 1894. think
the general tendency WIZ De to SOW
as much wheat as last year and prob
ably more on account Of the fixing OF
the price by the government"
The return of large numbers of men
from the military camps and from
oversees has appreciably improved the
farm labor situation. ltcis evident
that there is widespread disposition
as expressed by the Gouthern Mime
sofa banker to utilize the available
acreage of tillable soil and put in a
full crop of everything this spring,
with particular emphasis Oh wheat,
corn and barley, probably about in the
order named.
The serious seed situation which ex
listed year ago did not deter the
planting of large crop. Conditions
at this time have entirely changed
The wheat growing sections of the
district are either fully supplied with
seed Of high quality or nave adequate
seed supplies available. y year age
vestigation and census of seed sup
pics. HAS yCdA IACIC aAC dAApA>
stocks of all kinds and some surplus
for use outside OF this district.
Moisture. conditions improved ap
preciably during February. The larger
part of the Ninth district is covered
by a satisfactory blanket Of snow and
most of tho reports indicate that the
frost has not penetrated deeply into
the ground, due to the remarkably
mild winter. Should the remainder
of the winter be FREQ from periods o.
intense cold, tits probable that muct
of the moisture afforded by the snow
will be retained In the soil. 1t Is safe
to assume that there will be further
snow falls before the spring season
and that there Is still some improve
ment in moisture conditions that ma,
be looked for.
Business during February was active
throughout the district, and trade Ii
all lines was in satisfactory volume
The western half of the district re
ports good collections and increased
bank deposits. Bankers anticipate al
active year and with no very import
ant recession in the commodity pri
ces, the demands arising out OF sprint
planting will be heavy and represep
almost as great load As last year.
There has been some reduction" II