The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-09-27
MONTANA CEREAL CROP TWICE
THAT OF FIVE YEAR AVERAGE

has been $4,000 bushels. The con-
dition of flax last year at this time
was "A, and the 10-year average has
been ga. Flax suffered some from
the hot dry periods in the eastern
counties, but generally filled well.
Tame Hay. Tame hay declined two
POINTS in condition to IS, from which
100000 tons are ~forecasted, COM
pared to 1,986,000 tons for last year,
and the average production of 1,761,-
600 tons. Grasshoppers have been
damaging alfalfa severely in many To-
calities, while hot dry weather lower
ed the yields some in eastern and
southeastern counties. Timothy,
grown mostly in the western half of
the state, made very good growth this
year, averaging LEO tons per acre,
compared to 1.50 tons last year
Much of the second crop of alfalfa
was injured by rains during the put
ting-up process.
Wild Hay. A production of $685.
600 tons of wild hay is expected,
based upon a condition of IS. The
estimated production last year was
$3.50 tons, and the average for the
5-year period has been 458,0O0 tons.
The wild hay crop in the western half
of the state is generally good, but the
yield was restricted in some localities
by dry weather early in the season.
Hoppers also injuered some meadows,
and dry weather reduced the tonnage
in the eastern districts.
Potatoes. The forecast for the DO
tato crop is ~5,091,00O bushels, COM
pared with 5,796,000 bushels, the
1922 crop, and to 4,437,0O0 bushels,
the average for the Swear period. The
condition of potatoes on Sept. 1 was
Sc, showing two points decline from
the Aug. 1 condition. A year ago
the condition was 80, and the 1O-year
average on Sept. / has been 76. The
crop made generally good progress,
although hoppers and potato beetles
have done severe injury in several
sections. Short dry periods checked
growth in parts of Flathead and Car
bon counties, and over much of the
non-irrigated area of the eastern
quarter of the state. Prospects for
the marketing spuds are much better
than a year ago, as prices are much
more encouraging. Only 1882 cars of
the big 1922 crop were shipped, COM
pared to 1886 cars of the 1921 crop,
and to 947 cars of the 1922 crop. The
quality of Montana commercial pota-
toes is reported to be as good or bet
ter than last year, but yields are ex-
pected to average lower, due to many
poor stands, and to an apparent light
set in many fields.
Apples. Apples suffered a further
decline, and a crop of $4,000 bushels
is expected, compared to last years
production of $4,000 bush
els, and to $4,000 bushels, the s.
year average production. The condi-
ton Of apples Sept. 1 was So, a
month ago, 81, a year ago As, and the
10-year average Sept. l condition, 20.
Hail, scab, and blight have been the
chief factors adversely affecting the
apple crop. Quality has been damag-
ed more than quantity. 1t is estimat-
ed that few more than 100 cars of
fancy apples will go out of Montana
orchards this year, but probably some
200 cars of lower grade apples will
be shipped. Carlot shipments of last
crop totaled 393, for the 1921
crop, CSC cars; and for the 1920 crop
443 cars.
Sugar Beets. Sugar beets continue
20 show very promising, and yields
equal t. or exceeding those of last
year are expected. Pulling beets will
probably commence soon after the
18th of September.