The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-09
Acreage This Year Is Second
Largest in History.
Big Decrease Shown During
May, Report Shows.
EASTER FREEZE HURT CROP
Heads Only One-Half to Two
Thirds Usual Length.
June 1 Condition Forecasts
Yield of 1O2,77s,OOO Bus.

The June 1 condition forecasts a
probable Kansas wheat crop of 102,-
$4,000 bushels. according to the re-
port issued today by Edward c. Pax
ton. Kansas statistician of the United
States bureau Of crop estimates.
This forecast is based on an esti-
mate OF 10.S43.000 acres sown. per
cent abandoned, 9,516,000 acres left
for harvest with an average condition
of 90 per cent on June 1, indicating
prospective yield of 1913 bushels per
acre. This Is the second largest acre
age ever harvested in the Kansas, but
the lowest acre yield in prospect since
1911 when the average was only 10.7
bushels on about half as large an acre
age. Last years crop was 15.4 BUSH
els per acre on S,S86,000 acres for a
total of 136. 6.S44.000 bushels
June Condition Lower.
The June condition is 24-per cent
lower than on May first and 18 per
| cent less than the ten year average.
It is the largest slump from May to
June ever recorded in the state. Not
| all of this deterioration can be at
tributed to the May drought. 1t is
the recorded measure of the damage
from the Easter freeze that was not
entirely apparent a month ago and
kcould not be gauged until wheat be-
fgan to head. The May drought was
contributory in as much as the wheat
plants were SO low in vitality that they
were not able to Withstand hardshfps
of unfavora5le temperature, and lack
of moisture.
| Wheat is universally thin, stool
heads are lacking. the stem is unusual
| ly short, the heads about half to two
| thirds usual length and in many fields
| OF early seeding the upper half of the
head has failed to fill, probably due to
freezing in the boot. Neither insect
| NC EN-
wide spread or particularly damaging.
alfho chinch bugs. Hessian fly, leaf
rust and smut have contributed locally
| to- the general weakness. Recent rains
VIII tend to hold the harvest UP to the
prospect indicated by the present fore
cast but cannot be expected to either
materially improve the condition or
increase this indicated yield.
Low, conditions are the rule in all
parts of SKansas. The better yields are
promised In the eastern third and in
ithe south central counties. A line
from st. Joseph, Mo-, to Liberal, Kan.
and another from FIT. Scott to Winfield
will bound most of the better wheat ir
the state this year. The territory i'm
lmediately tributary to Wichita ought
to deliver the best hard wheat
Sedgwick County in Lead.
Forty-four counties promise a wheat
crop in excess of 100000 bushels
each. Ford, Rocks, Barton, Dickin-
son. Mcpherson. Pratt. Reno, Sedg-
ought to exceed 100000 bushels
each. Sedgwick county will lead the
state this year with almost 3,500,00
bushels. Last year ten counties pro-
duced crops in excess of 100000 and
Rocks, Barton and Ellis counties ex
ceeded 100000 bushels. Should the
June forecast materialiZe into reality
| al this will mark the fourth
, consecutive year in which Kansas ha,
exceeded 100, ,OO0,0 900 bushels of wheat
; production. Only once in the las
eight years has Kansas fallen below
9S,00G,000 bushels.
5 2,196,OOO Acres in Oats.
1t is estimated that Kansas seeded
2,196,000 acres to oats for this year,
: harvest as compared with 2,241,0 ,00'
acres in 1920. The June condition ii
63 per cent of normal. foreeasting s
yield of 20.S bushels per acre and {
total crop of 45, 1000 bushels. Tn
: 1920 production was 30.7 bushels pc
acre and total crop of 6S,799,0O'
bushels. Oats are generally ragge'
in stand, over weedy, heading short
. inclined to rustiness in many eastern
counties and lacking in thriftiness ant
vitality. The latter seedlings will b.
, much improved from the recent rain
and lower temperatures. Oats in west
ern Kansas was badly burned by tn
May drought and high temperatures
The barley acreage is estimated
being as large as last year with
June condition of Sc per cent. Thl
J would forecast a probable harvest o
1915 bushels per acre on s3S.O00 acre
C or a crop of 13,006,000 bushels tn
? 1920 yield was 25.4 bushels for a GRO
t of 21,2S5,000 bushels. Barley suf
e fered less from the spring freezes an
| stood the adverse May weather bet
ter than oats.
Other June 1st conditions in Kansa
3 are as follows: Rye. Is per cent; a
: hay, II per cent; clover. 70 per cent
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