Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-11
4,52s,0OO BUSHELS
IS ESTIMATED FOR
WINTER WHEAT CROP

Farm UNLOCK Hopeful, says
Report, With Increase in
Forage Acreage.
Helena, May 1O.-The May crop and
livestock report issued by the Mon
lana cooperative crop reporting SER
vice Estate and federal) states that
Montana winter wheat is in good con-
dition, rye in good condition. The report
blowing is completed and only 81 per
ceni Of the spring sowing and planting,
Only twice in the last eight years has
blowing and spring seeding been more
backward.
Winter Wheat
The acreage of winter wheat remain
ing for harvest is estimated at 8 5000
acres or 50 per CEN of the acre
age harvested last year; the acreage
harvested in the past years is as fol-
lows: 1921-3O2, 600 acres, 192O--41O,-
600 acres, 1919-538.OW acres 1918
6O7. 600 acres, 1917-605,O 900 acres.
1916-55O, 900 acres, 1915-S40,OO 0
acres, 1914-4S1.O 600 acres.
The acreage abandoned this year is
estimated at 8 per cent of the acreage
planted last fall, while the acreage
abandoned in past years was estimated
as follows: 1921-15 per cent, 1926
% per cent, 1919-4.5 per cent, 1918
IL per cent, 1917-22 per cent, 1876
% per cent, 1875 per cent, l9l4-
8 per cent.
The condition of the crop is placed
1923. 600 bushels. the condition of the
crop one year ago being SO per cent
and the 1O-year average 81 per cent.
The outlook for winter wheat is very
favorable, although the cold. wet
spring has delayed development and
little growth has been made: very lit
tie acreage has been lost from winter
killing and the only loss is the result
of the dry condition last fall. which de-
layed seeding and resulted in some of
the grain not terminating. Much of
this ungefminated seed is starting
slowly and the outcome of other is I'M
certain. The Judith basin and Gala
tin valley look very favorable for a
good winter wheat crop, and other sec
tons report from fair to very good.
Rye
The acreage of rye for harvest is esti-
mated at $1,000 acres compared to
$4,000 acres last fall and $4,000 acres
in 1919. Rye has. come through the
winter in fine shape, and is starting
nicely. The reports from the north
central and northeastern sections are
very encouraging. and it seems that
rye is becoming n very promising dry
land crop. The condition of the crop
is 50 per cent compared to 30 per cent
last year. 50 per cent in 1919 and the
1O-year average of "a per cent. The
crop is forecasted at $4,000 bushels.
Flowing
The spring has been very late, and
the amount of blowing done is very
small. 1t is estimated that but 46 per
cent of the blowing fall and spring
plowing) for spring seeding is com-
pleted; only twice in the past eight
wears has the amount of blowing COM
pleted beer less. The amount of plow-
ing completed to May 1, in past years
is as follows: 1914-69 per cent, 1915
81 per cent. 1916-7O per, cent, 1917
40 per cent. 191S-79 per cent, 1919
rs per cent. 1920-37 per cent. 1921
~ per cent, and the 10-year average
63 per cent.
Spring Sowing and Planting
Farm work has been generally de-
layed by storms and wet conditions and
but 81 per cent of the seeding was
completed on May 1. and only in 1920
and 1917 has the amount Of seeding
been less as shown by the records for
the past eight years. The per cent of
spring seeding completed in past years
is as follows: 1914-59 per cent. 1915
~ per cent, 1916-62 per cent, 1917
-2S per cent, 191S-71 per cent. 1919
IL per cent, 1927 per cent, 1921
per cent and the 10-year average
of 81 per cent. Sections with fall plow-
ing and summer fallow are very for
tunate as in such cases it has been pos
sible to proceed with seeding.
General Conditions
The reports from all counties show
that moisture conditions range from
good to excellent, in fact many sections
are seriously hampered by excessive
moisture. which has delayed spring
work.
Reports state that cutworms are en-
tirely absent. except in one or two
cases while last year many reports
were received at this time. This would
indicate their absence or DELAYED ap-
p%earance due to cold, wet conditions.
Farm labor is not as plentiful. as
reported on April /. many counties
having untitled calls for farm help.
The farm outlook is very hopeful at
this time. although the stress of fl
nances is severely felt and the problem
of financing spring operations is very
serious in some localities. Relief has
been afforded for some through the
federal seed loans and other sources.
The most important matters of concern
10 farmers and stockmen seem to he
longer time loans at smaller rate Of
interest. while many are much con-
cerned over the future prices for their
products. A feeling Of Optimism seems
to prevail and it is generally felt that
the outlook for the future will be
brighter, and that the worst is over.
While spring seeding is very much
delayed, it would seem that there will
be a material increase in the corn
acreage, an increase In the potato
acreage by new sections planting com !
mercial acreages. Forage and feed
crops are receiving much attention. |
and the acreage will be increased to
keep up with the tendency of DIVERSE !
fled farming. 1t is too early to OBJ