Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-09-11
PREDICT 4l,l00,0O0 BUSHELS
Of 1922 WHEAT IN STATE
sentember Forecast Boosted 10000 Bushels
Over Month Ago; Corn and Potato Harvest
VIII Be Largest in History.

and $4,000 bushels respectively. In
connection with the forecasts for Mon
tana this year, it should be understood
that the above forecasts are based
upon the total acreage in corn, 1t IS
assumed that only about 65 per cent
of the entire acreage will be harvested
for grain, and that the forecasts
should be considered accordingly.
FIax-The 1922 production of flax
for Montana is forecasted at 1,732,OOO
bushels as against the August fore
! crop of 1,125,000 bushels, and the five
year average crop of 1908, 900 bushels.
The condition of the crop on Septem-
Der 1 is IA per cent, compared with
76 per cent on August ], 81 per cent
one year ago and the 10-year aver !
age of "a per cent on September l.
While growing conditions have been
generally good for flax, the crop is late
and damage has resulted from grass
hoppers and hail in some sections.
Hay, tame-The tame hay crop for
1922 is estimated at 1,955,0OO tons,
compared to the 1921 estimate of
1920 and 1,158,O00 tons for 1919. The
yield per acre is estimated at 1.70
tons as against 1.S tons in 1921, Is
tons in 1920 and 10 tons in 1919.
The quality for this year is 30 per
cent compared to 80 per cent in 1921.
Frequent showers during the haying
season in many parts of the state has
injured the quality of the hay. A ma,
terial increase in forage and feed
crops will ad also OF the states sup
ply of feed.
HAY, wild-The wild hay crop is
estimated at $50, 600 tons. The esti-
--o4z --1J,tson F1r 1OO1 u-oa RDR NM
tons; for 1920, $4,000 tons; and for
1919, $4,000 tons. The estimated
yields per acre are: 80 tons for
1922. so tons for 1921, .95 tons for
1920, .35 tons for 1919, and .SS tons
for the 10-year average. The quality
of wild hay is higher than tame, be-
ing placed at 92 per cent
AifalTa-The estimated yield Of al
falfa hay is 2.20 tons per acre for
1922, 2.25 tons for 1921 and 215 tons
for 1920. The production of alfalfa is
included under the estimates for tame
hay.
WooLThe estimated production Of
wool for Montana this year is To-
100000 pounds in 1921, 100000
pounds in 1920 and 1S,267, 900 pounds
in 1919. The number of sheep shorn
in 1922 is placed at 100000 with an
average fleece of rs pounds. as COM
pared to 100000 shorn in 1921, with
an average of SD pounds per fleece.
The long severe winter, accompanied
by a shortage in feed in places, to-
gether with an increase in the pro-
portion of yearlings shorn, chiefly are
accountable for a lighter fleece and a
somewhat poorer quality in the 1872
clip.
Stock hogs-The number of stock
hogs on hand ~Septepmber l is placed
at 95 per cent of last year. The
unusually heavy losses of pigs last
spring accounts for the decrease in the
number of stock hogs. A number of
sections, particularly Ravalli and
Lewis and Clark counties, are in the
market for feeder hogs.
Pasture and range-Range condi-
tons continue excellent in the state
generally, being placed ia 95 per cent,
compared to 20 per cent one year ago.
in the north central and northwestern
sections, dry weather has cut the
grass short, but elsewhere in the state
pastures and range are the best in
years and all livestock are in splen-
did condition. From the south cen
trail section to the Dakota border.
pastures and ranges were never better.
Garden and truck crops-Are re-
ported to be in good condition, and
will yield well. Material damage from
hail. grasshoppers and dry weather is
noted in some localities, but these
factors will not seriously affect the
total yield.
EppIes-The Montana apple crop
for 1922 is placed at 100000 bushels,
compared TO the estimated crop Of
975,0O0 bushels for 1921, and $3.50 600
! bushels for 1920. The condition OF
the apple crop on September l is 45
per cent. compared TO 81 per cent last
month, 20 per cent a year ago, and
20 per cent for q 10-year average.
, A severe hail storm caught the best
; of the Bitter Root apple areas. which
, cut down an already short crop. On
; this account, few apples from this dis
4 trict will grade No. /. From various
sources of information. it is esti-
mated that not more than 300 cars
of apples will be shipped from Mon
tana orchards this year, as compared
F, with 6S6 cars nj 1921. and 443 cars
in 1920.
a Potatoes-Montana potatoes con
. tinue 10 promise a bumper crop, with
T,252,000 bushels forecasted for 1922,
. as compared to the August forecast OF
1866, 900 bushels, the 1921 crop OF
r 100000 bushels and the 1920 crop OF
t,fcp,pUV bucuSlS,
e The condition of potatoes on Sep
= TENDER ] is reported at 80 per cent OF
s normal, the same as on August j. and
e compared to 70 per cent one year ago,
and q 1G-year average condition of It
e per cent on September |.
Growing conditions during the past
r month have been generally favorable
e for potatoes. and in most sections they
are maturing rapidly. Continued dry
weather in the Flathead and north
central regions has cut down pros
h pective yields there. Considerable
$ damage TO the crop by hail and hop
u pcrs is reported over scattered areas
particularly in the Milk river, eastern
and central sections, while diseases
n have adversely affected setting Of
tubers and growth in widely scattered
localities, but these factors will not
seriously reduce the total production
for the state.
: Based upon reports from all of the
! commercial potato sections of Mon
! tana, it is estimated that the com
q mercial potato crop will amount t.
8 1880 cars, compared TO $500 cars il
\ 1921. and 947 cars in 1920. Thi:
estimate is based upon the assump
ton that this years crop will bt
u cleaned up as well as that of last year
q