The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-07-10
CROP PESTS IN
INDIANA CAUSE
SMALLER YIELD
Diseases, Insects and Weather
Combine in Effort to De-
stroy Farm Produce.

INDIANAPOLIS, July 10.-Diseases,
insects and the weather seemed to
have combined forces during the past
month IN an attempt to destroy farm
produce in this state, according to the
hrst report of the cooperating crop
reporting service for Indiana, issued
Thursday. The report shows the con-
dition of all principal crops to be
somewhat under the figures reported a
month ago by the bureau of crop es-
Inmates, and the acreage of corn, po-
tatoes. and timothy hay to be some
what less than year ago.
The sweet potato acreage is about
the same as last year and the tobacco
acreage Is increased slightly over last
year Weather conditions delayed
corn planting until the last Of June
In some of the southern counties, and
consequently the condition is not what
IT should be. Wheat scab, loose smut
and insects have done much damage
TO the wheat crop and army worms
were particularly bad in timothy and
rye fields in the eastern part Of the
state. The loss to farmers from this
source can hardly be estimated, but
1t will run into millions Of dollars.
Melons and one or two other minor
crops show an improvement over last
mOnLn. Inc report follows.
Weather conditions and shortage
Dot labor are the principal reasons for
decrease in the corn acreage, al.
though much corn ground was given
over to wheat last fall. The July con-
dition is So per cent Of normal, indi-
eating a yield of 1854 bushels per
acre on 4,SS1.000 acres.
Smut Is Prevalent
Loose smut and scab, which are
prevalent in practically all counties,
together with some insect damage,
caused a deterioration in the winter
wheat crop Of points, during the
month. Rust and hot weather nearly
ruined spring wheat in some local.
ties. Present figures indicate a crop
OF about 51,000,000 bushels of both
winter and spring wheat. There is
approximately $4,000 bushels of last
years crop still on farms.
Oats are off points compared with
last month. The severe heat at the
time Of filling is the principal cause
OF the deterioration, although rainy
weather had a bad effect. Present
figures indicate a production Of ap-
fortunately 66,400,O00 bushels.
Barley shows a decline Of 6 points
as compared to last month. Rains
and too much hot weather are the
principal factors contributing to the
decline. Present figures indicate a
crop of 1,156,0O0 bushels.
Potato Acreage Less
Rye shows a decline Of only 2 points
as compared with last month, due
principally to the army worm devas'
tation in the eastern part of the
state. Present figures indicate crop
of approximately 6,73S,00O bushels.
The potato acreage is slightly less
than last year due to heavy falling OFF
in the commercial crop. Present
figures indicate a crop Of 1852, 900 bu
shells on approximately $4,000 acres.
The sweet potato acreage is prac
Officially the same as last year, and q
crop Of 100000 bushels is indicated
on the 5000 acres set out.
Army Worms Are Factor
Army worms devastated many tim
othy and clover fields in the eastern
part Of the state and were the prin
cipal factor in showing a decline of
points in these crops since last month
Present figures indicate a production
of 1904 900 tons, Notwithstanding
many timothy meadows were plowet
ur early in the season.
The tobacco acreage in the burle,
district is considerably increased owe
last year, but in the dark district thu
increase, if any, is negligible. The
condition Of both types is 81 per cen
of normal and indicates a crop of Is,
$4,000 pounds on 1900 acres.
All orchard fruits were badly dam
aged by the extremely cold weathe,
the latter part Of April. Only the vel
cared for orchards will produce an,
fruit. Present condition figures indi
cate yields as follows: Apples, 2,222
COO bushels; peaches, $4,000 bushels
pears, POS, 900 bushels.
Berry Crop Is Good
Field cow-peas and field bean
show a decided improvement owe
last month the condition being S
rer cent of normal for peas and 8
per cent for beans; which are 7 an