South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-16
AGRICULTURE and STOCK-RAISLNG
STATE WHEAT CROP
IS NEARLY NORMAL
General Agricultural Outlook
Only Fair, Official Re-
port Indicates.

The Indiana crop outlook as
shown in the official report issued
recently under the direction of the
Indiana legislative reference bureau
reveals mat ON April I the condition
OF winter wheat was 50 per cent
normal In addition IL shows that
breeding shows have decreased 10
per cent. farm labor supply is nor
NAL and the general agricultural out
look is only fair. The report points
out specifically that the condition of
winter wheat April I was 50 per
cent OF normal and indicates a total
production of approximately $4,000.
GOO bushels for the state. Last year
the condition was 90 per cent of
normal and the 1O-ycar average is SO
per cent. There was 1,953.OOO acres
seeded last fall, some OF which has
already been abandoned or seeded
60 oats or other crops. but this is not
extensive and present indications OF
abandonment loss seem TO be- very
small
Weather Favorable.
The weather has been very ia
vorabIe and late sown wheat has
made a wonderful Improvement over
the December condition. The early
sown. however was badly damaged
by Hessian fly and at this time is in
rather poor condition. Cinch bugs
and joint worms also are working in
tho early crop Some damage is re-
ported from high water. but is not
extensive.
RYE shows a somewha, better con-
ditiou than wheat. being % per cent
al normal. compared with so per
cent a year ago and SIS per cent for
the 10-year average. 4 slight in
crease I'm acreage was shown last
fan. the total being $4,000 acres
practically an Of which will he har-
vested The total indicated produc-
tion az this time is slightly in excess
Of 5000. Geo bushels for the state,
The number of breeding sows have
decreased 10 per cent compared with
a year ago IL is estimated that there
are 4SS.7O0 in tho state at this time.
The demand for good s0ws is in
creasiuE and with "a fairly steady
market it looks as though the num-
her should begin TO increase slightly
and with a better grade Of stock.
Many ~ the poorer grade were fat
tened and sold for meat purposes
during the winter. Spring filters
seem 10 be somewhat larger than
usual and the pigs are strong and
healthy
The farm labor supply in the state
has reached nearly a normal stage
again. being Is per cent greater than
q year ago The demand. however is
not ~ great as IN former years
Many farmers have changed their
methods Of farming by which means
they can do "a great deal more OF
their work Improved farm maChin-
cry has had considerable influence
on the labor demand and supply and
the low prices farmers are receiving
for their products also has tend
ency 90 keep hired labor az the low
est possible point The per cent OF
supply this year Isl rs compared
with a year ago and tho demand is
only So per cent compared with last
year
Outlook Pair.
The agricultural outlook for Indi-
ana this year is only fair. Many OF
the larger farmers are renting fields
where possible. but when this cannot
be- done they wiu be idle. Farmers
viii only put 10 acreages that can be
handled with the assistance OF their
Immediate families. because OF the
low prices received for farm products
and the high wages demanded b.