The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-09-28

more than twice as much of these
products than she has marketed on
an average for the past five years.
The September condition of crops
in Montana indicates production of
81 million bushels of wheat, 23 mil
lion bushels of oats, 8 million BUSH
els (orequivalent) of corn, and also
larger crops than last year of flax,
barley and sugar beets. Corn and
| flax prospects improved during Au-
gust while spring wheat sustained the
heaviest decline in condition of all of
the crops, due to rust injury and the
drouth periods in the eastern coun-
ties. Other crops not harvested bare
ly held their own, and in some cases
showed moderate declines. These are
features of the September crop report
issued by Geo. A. Scott, statistician
for Montana cooperative crop report
ing service.
All Wheat. The total forecasted
production of spring and winter
wheat combined is 51,003,000 bush
els, or nearly 100000 bushels more
than the preliminary revised estimate
of the 1922 crop. OF this, 6,239, 10000
bushels are winter wheat.
Spring Wheat. The September
forecast for spring wheat production
is 44,764, 900 bushels, based upon an
average condition at harvest time of
rs per cent of normal, loss of over
100000 bushels from August fore
cast. Last years crop was estimated
to be a little less than 100000
bushels, while the 5-year average has
been 7,948,000 bushels, but this in
cludes the disastrous year of 1919.
The condition of spring wheat last
month was 70, year ago it was 80,
and the 10year average on Sept.
has been Sc. The decline in condi-
ton was due to rust injury in the
eastern third of the state, and to hot
dry periods in the same area, where
little more than half a crop is report
ed from early threshing returns. The
crop shows best in the north central,
central, and south central districts,
but is generally good over the entire
western two-thirds of the state, ex-
cept where hoppers and hail have
done injury to it. The quality is be-
low that of last year, considerable of |
it being lighter in weight and showing
shrivelled kernals, especially in the |
rust affected territory. Quality in |
the central areas is better, and the |
gluten content will apparently run
higher for the state than it did last |
year. Harvesting is practically COM
pleted in the eastern and southeast |
ern counties and west of the divide, |
is we'll along, but in other
districts harvesting is late,
Oats. A crop of 23,O51, 900 bush
els of oats is indicated by condition
of 81 per cent on Sept. /. Last
years crop was estimated at 19,200,-
600 bushels, and the average for the
5-year period has been 12,806,0 900
bushels The condition last month
was 81, for September 1922 it was 80,
and the 19-year average 81. DOTS
have generally filled in fine shape,
Ind early threshing returns indicate
/ high average yield. Hoppers have
lone considerable scattered injury to
his crop, and yield will not average
ligh in the eastern portions.
Corn. Corn gained point in con-
iition during August, and its Septem-
'Cl COuQlIIOn VI pOl0LS W d pro-
luction of 100000 bushels for this
vear. The 1922 crop was estimated
o be 5,475,O00 bushels, and the s.
ear average crop has been 2,827,000
'ushels. The condition is the same as
year ago. The above corn forecasts
md estimates are made upon the as ,
that the entire crop is har- I
-ested as grain, but since much of it !
s put into silos, hogged off, and fed
IS fodder, the forecasts should be in
erpreted accordingly. Corn general
y made excellent progress, although
ouch of it is yet little late. Rains
nd some cool weather delayed ma
uring to a small extent, but it has
cen filling well, and is not maturing
apidly. 1t is noteworthy that corn
but little from the temporary
routh periods in the eastern coun-
les.
Barley. 2,161,OOO bushels of bar
BY is forecasted for this year based
pom Sept. 1 condition of 85. This
about 100000 bushels more than
ast years crop and compares with
$4,000 bushels, the average for the
year period. The condition of bar
y last month was IS, a year ago it :
as 80, and for the 10-year average
has been 70. Barley filled well
the important south-central and
sections but was injured