Evening journal., 1919-06-23
100000 Loss
TO STATE WHEAT
CROP BY BLIGHT
continued From FIRST Page.

bumper crop Suddenly conditions
changed and it is now estimated in that
vicinity that the quantity has been cut
at least 2j per cent, and the quality
another % per cent, making 20 per
cent. total damage 20 the crop.
Wheat is now quoted above $3.50 a
bushei one week ago the prospects
were for at least 10000 bushels within
ten miles Of Middletown. which would
have brought nearly siOO0O00 TO the
growers. Some idea Of the great loss
can be obtained when 10 is stated That
instead OF nearly si,OOOOOO, these same
farmers will not receive Sj0O,OOO for
their crop Of wheat
In order 10 try and save as much rs
possible. many farmers for The frst
time ever known, cut wheat all day
Sunday The wheat became ripe so
quick and The walks were falling 80
fast that this drastic step was posi-
lively necessary. IN some instances the
farmers by promising double pay, got
some of their hands 10 work yesterday,
but where this could not be done the
wheat was cut and allowed 10 remain
on the ground I'm she0ves until Today.
About week ago the Middletown
farmers had decided, Judging from the
condition OF the wheat, today would be
about The time TO start the harvest. Last
Monday the wheat fields were green. the
grain was hardly formed and in a milky
state Every condition at that time
seemed satisfactory and the farmers
were iubilant over their prospects for
n big crop. on Tuesday The fields took
a brown color and the following day ia
an appearances the wheat was ripe.
This caused rush 10 begin the har-
vest. although many were not ready
Some few started 10 cut on Wednes-
day and Thursday and more were cut
ting by the end Of the week. Dozens
Of farmers becoming alarmed over the
situation because Of the wheat ripon-
ing so fast and the stalks falling
bought extra reapers TO rush the har-
vesting.
BY Thursday most all The crop in The
vicinity Of Middlelown was struck with
what IS known as "stubble falling"
and by Saturday entire fields were in
that condition. The stalks were down
so that 10 was impossible for the reap
ers TO cut them all the conditions are
reported 10 be even worse today The
heads begin 10 dr0op and within a few
hours are near the ground and by the
next day are touching the gro'Ad. The
sheayes as they come from the reaper
are all out Of shape and cannot be
shocked should a rainy spell come
The damage would even be greater. As
stated thc bearded varieties are not
damaged SO much, but most Delaware
farmers unfortunately for some years
having been sowing the bald varieties.
As far as could be learned today the
crop has not been greatly damaged
north OF the canal except in a Few
inseances. Newton L. Grubb, OF Bran
dywine hundred, a member OF the State
Board Of Agriculture, stated this morn
ing that 10 date there Is no indication
of the blight In that vicinity. He eX-
planned. however. that the wheat up
his way Is not advanced near as far
as down the state and that there was
4 possibility that the blight may strike
hem vet. Mr.. Grubb stated that he
lad lust such a blight in a field OF
wheat on his farm 20 years ago. re- /
member. ne said, IL was q bald variety |
nd Just before it ripped ! expected to /
-et % bushels TO the acre. but when
arvested a. amounted TO only five
ushels. The heads. he said, did not
n out and the stalks dropped. Half Of
he field was affected this way, he
lated. and on making an investigation
e found little worms in the first joint
( the stalk. Whether or not these
lsects have been found in any Of the
elds damaged at this time could not
3 learned.
Former Judge Daniel o. Hastings,
no owns a farm near Dover, says the
light has damaged at least 20 per cent
the crop an down that way. He
afes that 10 Is the bald variety OF
heat that has been mostly damaged.
The DAMAGE 70 was learned has eN-
ndel as FAR rs Bridgeviile. Former
ate senator oliver 4. Newton. Of near
ridgevule. has suffered considerable
image bv the blight 10 his wheat.
i Frank Biggs. Of Mlddlet0wn, stated
day glat the damage in that vicinity
aVerv hlt a. severe a. represented
g said. be noticed several weeks ago
.at the heads were not filling out Ike
iev should. although the straw was
aavv The "stubble falling" the past
.w days he stated has done much
.ore damaged Mr. Biggs also stated
,at he noticed coming 90 Wilmington
n The train this morning that the
heat i'm the vicinity OF Bear Station,
.hich is north OF the canal, is damaged
lnsiderably.