New-York tribune., 1919-05-09
Government Announces Bic
Increase in Prospect for
Winter Grain, Exceeding
April by 63,OOO,OOO
Rye Jumps 22,OOO,OOO
Condition Reported as zoos
Per Cent, Which Is High
est on Record for Nav l

WASHINGTON, May S.-An increase
during April of almost 63,O0O,OOO
bushels in the winter wheat prospec-
tive production was shown to-day when
the Department of Agriculture an
nounced its forecast for crop of $685.
100000 bushels, based on conditions
existing May /, with the promise that
if conditions continue favorable until
harvest the crop may exceed 9O0OOO,OOO
bushels
Prospective ry production was fore
cast at 122,946,000 bushels, an increase
OF almost 22,000,00O bushels over the
April forecast
The acreage is the largest on record
and the area abandonded from winter
killing, overfiows and other causes is
extremely low, being IL per cent.
Growing conditions have been splendid
and the crop from April to May 1
MADE an Improvement, bringing it to
l0O.5 per cent of a normal, which is
the highest condition on record for
May l.
Wheat Prospects by States
The May l condition and production
forecast of winter wheat by principal
states follow:
Pennsylvania, condition, 101; pro-
duction, 34,039,OOO
Ohio, 105, and 54,705 900.
Indiana, 100, and $500 OOO
illinois, 100, and 65,990,OOO.
Missouri, 101, and 72,423,OOO.
Nebraska, l01, and 7O,7OO,OOO
Kansas, 103, and 197,339 900.
Oklahoma, 102, and 54,134 ,OOO>
Production of hay is forecast at
ll4,930,OO0 tons. compared with &c.
S33 900 tons last year and 9S,439. 900
tons IN 1917. The expected hay acreage
this year is about 71,224,O00 acres.
consisting of 55,927, 900 tame and 15,-
$4,000 wild. The average condition of
meadow (hay) lands on May l was 94.3
compared with 89.6 on May last year
and ten-year May average of 86.1.
Stocks of hay on farms May l are es-
timated at 8,493,000 tons, against H.
476,0O0 on May ! last year, and H.
SOB, 900 tons, the fve-year average on
May 1.
The average condition of pastures on
May l was 90.3, compared with 83. i
last May and S4.5 the ten-year May
average.
Spring ploughing was 727 per cent
completed on May 1, compared with II S
per cent last year and a ten-year
average Of I05
Spring planting was 61.O per cent
completed, compared with 6O,8 last
year and a tenyear average og 58.1.
In commenting on the report, the
bureau of crop estimates made this
statementr
"The present condition of 1905 per
cent is highest of record for winter
wheat on May 1. Earlier expectations
OF minimum acreage abandonment
have been confirmed, May l returns
showing only IL per cent less of acre
age from winter killing, overhown, etc.
This insignificant abandonment results
in an acreage of winter wheat for har-
vest of 4S,933,000, being one third
greater than last year, and 50 per cent
approaching two-thirds, above the pre-
war tive-year average of about 3d.
0000 900 acres.
Greatest of Any Country
"The indicated increase in fore
casted production over the April
promise is about 63 900, 900 bushels, and
the promise of a round 900,00000C
bushels WILL if realized, be the great
est ever produced in any country.
"Tho only materially unfavorable
word comes from Illinois and few
nearby states where yellowish color
in or on the wheat over considerable
areas has been diagnosed by some au-
thorites as a serious fungous disease
California alone of the important
wheat states gives this month an un-
favorable report, having suffered a
serious deficiency Of rainfall that has
reduced the condition of 85 per cent
and resulted in 10 per cent of aban-
donment of planted fields. All others
show 100 per cent or higher, reaching
103 in Kansas and 105 in Ohio.