The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-11-23
MONTANA RAISES
LARGEST CROP OF
CORN In ITS HISTORY
SMALL CROP OF POTATOES
LARGEST CROP OF FLAX SINCE
1918-APPLES YIELD GOOD.

SMALL CROP OF POTATOES
LARGEST CROP OF FLAX SINCE
1918-APPLES YIELD GOOD.
The largest crop of corn in the
states history, the best flax crop
since 1918. and a much smaller pota-
to crop than last year, are shown in
the November crop report issued to-
day by the Montana Cooperative
Crop Reporting Service.
CORN-With an average yield of
! 26 bushels per acre for the state, the
preliminary production estimate for
the state is 100000 bushels, as
against 5,475,00O bushels for 1922, and
1,934,00O bushels, the average for the
1921 period. The yield last year
was % bushels per acre, while the
5-year average has been 1879 bushels.
1t is estimated that n per cent of
the total crop matured we'll this year,
compared to so per cent last year,
and to 80.4 the 5-year average. Much
corn was planted late last spring, and
while nearly all matured well in the
important eastern and southeastern
counties, some in the north and north
cetral counties was caught by frost.
From feed standpoint, the crop has
mates for this state are based upon
been very satisfactory. Corn esti-
mates for this state are based upon
the assumption that all is harvested
for grain and should be interpreted
accordingly.
FLAX: The flax crop is estimated
at 1,246,00O bushels, based upon an
average yield of SO bushels per acre,
compared to $4,000 bushels for last
year, and to 100000 the 5-year av-
erage production. The average yield
last year was 10 bushels, and 80
bushels for the 5-year period. The
quality of the crop is below that for
last year.
! POTATOES: Based upon an aver
age yield of 10 bushels per acre, a
production of 100000 bushels of po-
tatoes is estimated for this year, COM
pared to 5,796,000 bushels for last
year, and to 4,449000 bushels, the s.
year average. The yield in 1922 was
126 bushels per acre, and the average
105 bushels.
APPLES: The production for the
state is estimated as 90 per cent of
normal crop. or 100000 bushels,
compared to $4,000 bushels for 1922,
and to $4,000, the 10-year average
production. While the total crop is
large this year, the quality is rated
at 55 per cent of normal, which means
that probably over so per cent of the
crop will go to waste. 1t is estimated
that about 80 per cent of the crop will
be shipped and trucked out of coun-
ties of production, while a little will
be used for cider. Hail injury and
disease account largely for the poor
quality and low market demand adds
further to the cause of heavy waste.
HAY: The quality of the states hay
crop averages very low this year, due
: to much rain during the haying sea-
sons. and to hopper injury. There is
some hay, however, which was put in
excellent shape, principally in the
western counties.
! SUGAR BEETS: The harvesting of
the large crop of beets was further
delayed by more rain, but it seems
that the great efforts being made to
get all of the beets out of the ground
before hard freezes will be successful.
Beets continued to grow late Ato
October, which added materially to
the total tonnage, but it is reported
to have lowered the sugar content.
: GENERAL NOTES: Heavy rains
fell in the southeastern and south
central counties during OctNber, and
lighter rains and SHOWS in most other
sections of the state. Temperatures
tended downward during the latter
part of the month, zero temperatures
being reported from some of the
higher mountain valleys. while hard
freezes were had in all parts of the
state, moderating towards the end OF
the month.
Considerable late threshing remain.
ed to be done, chiefly in the central
Z and sOuth-central districts. Grains YET
in shock deteriorated in quality. Mucl
grain hauling was done in October.
: The corn harvest was we'll along By
! November 1, with the bulk of it cut
and in shocks, or being fed off by
I stock Considerable loss has been re-
ported in the southeast quarter of the
State from moulding in the shock.
!. Potatoes are rug, and some frosr
injury has been reported from the
e unexpected freezes. Shipments have
e been very light, and most of the com
mercial crop is going into storage
mainly field pits. Yields were uneven
e and generally low, while the quality
: also has been disappointing.
The apple harvest is completed. ant
: in a few cases were stopped b.
g freezes. Packing and shipping con
tinue, but total shipments will be com
y paratively light on account of poo
: quality and low market pricH.
Q Winter wheat seeding continues
i throughout October under Favorable
S conditions. Early seedlings are up t.
good stands and are making satisfac
tory growth Rye seedlings are ligh
but conditions are generally favorabl
for fall growth.
+ Much more fall blowing and discinl
: than last year has been done.