The Topeka state journal., 1921-12-30
Winter Acreage Is Largest in
History of State.
But December Condition Is
Very Low, Says Report.
SEVERE DROUTH TO BLAME
May Be Heavy Abandonment of
Acreage Next Spring.
Farmers Apparently Choose
Wheat as "Lesser Evil"

- wheat acreage estimated as be-
ing the second largest ever sown in
Kansas and the lowest December con-
dition ever recorded feature the fed
era1 crop report issued today by Ed
ward c. Paxton, Kansas statistician
for the bureau of crop estimates. The
11,569.000 acres sown is greater by 1
per cent than was seeded a year ago
and only slightly less than the rec
ord established in the fall of 1918
The December condition of so per
cent of normal is unusually low and
reflects the influence of drouth that
has been severe and long continued
over most of the state. The condition
a year ago was IS per cent and the
ten year average 81 per cent.
In the face of falling markets It
would seem surprising that Kansas
farmers have not only maintained but
actually increased their acreage of
wheat It is generally conceded that
no grain crop in the state will show a
profit in 1921. However, it is also
true that wheat will show a larger
gross acre value than any other grain.
- The market for the coarse feed grains
is ruinously low and wheat seemed the
only grain that had a chance to sell
Tor a price that might pay a profit
Conditions for seeding were not eX-
tremely favorable but generally pos
sible IL one dared to drill in dry soil
accessible in every part of the state
at reasonable prices. No farm opera
ton seemed profitable or attractive;
wheat was chosen as the lesser evil if
one was to contiRue in a farm produc-
. ton program.
Eastern Half Is Best.
Conditions already point to a prob
able heavy abandonment of acreage
next spring. Some wheat that was
sOEvn early in the western and north
. central counties, sprouted and has al
ready perished from lack of moisture
Probably 100000 acres of wheat
seeded in Che western half of the state
has not yet terminated and has little
chance to make a crop. In the east
ern half Of the state, with the excep-
I ton of some north central counties
+ the December condition generally
averages 70 per cent or better Con-
ditionS are fairly promising in the
northwest. Elsewhere the average is
low. running usually from 20 per cent
TO SO per cent.
There is only one encouraging note
in the situation. 1t is an established
fact that spring moisture is more es-
sential and potent in making VIII eat
crops than is fall moisture. If the
plants have sufficient vitality to pull
thru the winter, spring rains can work
wonders in improvement in a very
short time
~ leAAS fFlANc1L al ca &c III the = IlLCu
States, Kansas has more than one
fourth. Estimates show that 44,293,-
600 acres Of wheat were sown in the
United States last fall. or 1.2 per cent
less than a year ago. The average
December condition in the United
States was rs per cent of normal as
compared with S7.9 per cent last year
and a ten year average of SO per cent.
Story in Figures.
The following table shows, by coun-
ties the probable acreage sown to
winter wheat in Kansas in the fall of
1921 both in per cent Of last year
and in acres; also the condition of
winter wheat on December 1, 1921,
based on J 90 per cent as representing
normal development:
Acreage Estimated