The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-04-18
MISSOURI CROPS
FOR APRIL, 1919

| FOR APRlL, 1919
! Jefferson City, Mo.-That the crop
condition of the 4,243, 900 acres of Mis-
i souri, wheat is 1903 per cent better than
any April since 1882, indicating 3d.
000,0 900 bushels, is the point report Of
Z. A. Logan and Jewell Mayes Of the
Federal and State Departments of
Agriculture.
In St.. Francois county the condi-
ton of wheat is 101 per cent of nor
NAL; rye, So per cent; farm labor
April l, SO per cent, compared to nor
NAL demands; oat seeding, 80 per cent
completed; spring blowing, Sc per
cent done, and the prevailing value of
pasture lands, $45 per acre.
The acreage of wheat is SO per
, cent more than last year, and the in
dictated yield of S0,000,000 bushels is
81 per cent greater than the $685.
900 bushels for 1918. The farm value
of this crop upon the basis of 1921
($2.18, X. c., Mo-, and $2.24, St.
Louis) would be $176,S00,000.
The April condition of Missouri
wheat is higher than any year of rec
ord except 1882 at ITO per cent. In
April, 1902, (under similar outlook
the condition was 81 per cent and the
final yield 1919 bushels. During the
last 20 years the condition Of wheat
on July has been lower than that of
April LIST twelve times and the same
| Tor above) seven years, and from this
data the crop may be expected on Ju-
ly LIST to show loss of 10 points from
April rather than a gain. Therefore,
the April, 1919 condition of 103 less
10 points 1.-THE 12-year average de-
cline) would indicate a yield of co.
$4,000 bushels. Last April was 8
per cent. Plants are rank and far
ther advanced than usual There is
but little insect damage and no wide
spread plant diseases. Stock pas
tured on the crop much later than u.s.
ual. In the northwest portion over
flows in March did but little damage
except in low places where the water
stood for several days.
Spring wheat seeding is about fin
ished, with increased acreage in its
principal counties, but was not sown
so early as in past two seasons, MOI
was soil SO favorable. Rye condition
in Missouri is 101 per cent.
Dat seeding is rs per cent completed
against So per cent last April. The
showers and SHOWS of the first half of
March delayed seeding. But the last
week of March and the first week of
April rushed it to completion. The
greatest delay occurred in the north
west and shortage of seed reduced
| oil In ha nd
south oats were sown in good season.
The number of brood sows in Mis-
souri, is SO 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 ship
ping in Is per cent of their corn.
The spring blowing is 81 per cent
completed, and farmers are not SC
well forward with work as last year
The northern third is retarded most
the west side and south of the river is
half completed, the southeast section
only one-third done. Breaking corr
land would be much helped by good
rains in many sections.
The average acre value of raw and
undeveloped land is $40. These lands
are principally situated in the OzarKs
sections where the average is SIS, and
in Southeast Missouri $38. The av.
erage value of pasture lands is sos
but in the bluegrass sections the
range is from $50 in west central tc
500 in northwest. The better pas.
ture lands can be cropped, while in
the central and Ozark sections con.
siderable land must remain for pas
turage, ranging from $40 to $50 PEI
acre.
Farm labor is about 101 per cent OF
normal demands. There is much com
plant of the poor quality of the la.
Dor supply, and that not all soldiers
are returning to the farms promptly
after discharge. The situation is not
so serious as last year, and much i'm
provement is expected as the season
advances, although at harvest time
the demand for farm labor will bt
greater.
March was generally favorable fol-
crops, but too wet for blowing north
of the river. Alfalfa and clover seed
ing has been heavy in some counties
Pastures are coming forward rapidly
With two weeks of good weather
grazing will be sufficient. Fruit
blooms are apparently safe, no seri'
ous freezing occurring during March
Gardens are later than last year, ant
only early vegetables have been gen
orally planted.