Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-08-19
CROPS DECLINE IN JULY
POTATO CROP IN COLORADO
THIS YEAR WILL BE PROF.
TABLE.
Report by U. 8. Bureau Of Markets
Give Present Conditions In
Colorado.
w~,.rp Newspaper Uuioa s.., ,.rls.1


corn and wheat from the July 1 fig
ures. condition of all crops of the
state equaling 104.4 per cent of the
ten-year average, a decline OF 18
point during July. and the second
largest production Of potatoes in the
history of the state, are the salient
features of the regular state-federal
August ] crop report released through
the Colorado Cooperative Crop Re
porting Service.
Though all the principal crops suf-
fered some declines in condition dur
Ing July, the percentages of decrease
were generally small compared with
the declines registered for the same
crops nationally.
The potato crop is OF great interest
TO the farmers and others at this time,
due to the facts that Colorado pota-
toes continue to show prospects for
excellent production, while nationally
the crop deteriorated 1T.6 points since
the first of July, and on August L had
declined to figure of 65.S per cent
of normal with Il forecast of only 313,-
100000 bushels, compared with 49,
100000 bushels last year This is the
smallest prospect since 1908, except In
1911 and 1916, when the United States
potato production went below 100000
600 bushels. The Colorado crop de-
clined only 1 point during July, and
on August l had condition of 93 per
cent of normal, or points higher
than last year on August 1, 8 points
above the ten-year average for this
date. Good growing conditions until
harvest may raise this estimate an
other 100000 bushels, with more
complete returns from assessors. 1t
now appears that the area growers
estimated would be planted is in ex-
cess of 100000 acres. The final esti-
mote for the crop last year was TO-
$4,000 bushels. In 1919 the Census
Bureau showed S,S75,OOO bushels har-
vested from about 1900 acres. The
largest crop in the history of the state
was in 1918, amounting to about 15,-
$4,000 bushels. Usually about 10 to
20 per cent of the total production in
Colorado is considered commercial.
Winter wheat declined points
during July and had a harvest time
figure of 81 per cent of normal. Based
on this condition the production liz
estimated at 24,500,000 bushels, com.
pared with about 1854 900 bushels.
tentatively revised estimate for last
year, and 1863, 900 bushels in 1919.
The spring wheat crop declined Z
points during July and reached August
L with a condition of S5 per cent, S
points lower than last year on August
l and points above the ten-year
average. This condition promises a
production of 6,331 900 bushels, COM
pared with 5,626 900 bushels last year.
The total production of both winter
and spring wheat in the state, as now
estimated, will amount to 3OS31 900
Bushels, compared with 25,467 900
bushels last year and 1S,261 900 bush
els the Census Bureau figure for
1919.
Colorado corn declined IL points
during July, and on August L was 81
per cent of normal, 6 points below
August l last year and points high
er than the ten-yesr average With
this condition figure, this years crops
of corn still promises to be the rec
ord crop for the state and amounts
to approximately 100000 bushels,
as compared with a revised estimate
of 1S,94O,000 bushels for last year,
These production figures are based Oh
the estimate that approximately so
per cent of the acreage planted to
corn lost year was harvested for grain
and that the percentage for grain will
be about the same this year. In 1919
the corn crop of the state amounted
to 10.106.000 bushels, as shown by the
Census Bureau and was produced on
about II per cent of the corn acreage
planted.
All of the other principal crops In.
dicate production somewhat greater
than the ten-year average. Oats,
S,S09,000 bushels; barley, 4,SSS,0OO
bushels; rye, 100000 bushels; all
hay, 3.214,0O0 tons; alfalfa, 1904 600
tons; grain sorghums, 2.297 900 bush
els; beans, $4,000 bushels; apples,
S,O05,O00 bushels; peaches, 753,OOO
bushels; pears, 314OOO bushels.
The cabbage and onion crops of the
state are both in excellent condition,
being 94 per cent of normal, or about
points above the ten-year average.
The condition of cantaloupes is 81 per
cent, points higher than the ten
year average. and sugar beets have a
condition of s6 per cent, compared
with ten-year average condition on