The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-09-28
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 IA, and the 10-year average has
been ga. Flax suffered some from
the hot dry periods in the eastern
counties, but generally filled WE'LL
Tame Hay. Tame hay declined two
POINTS in condition to IS, from which
1885, 900 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 1.60 tons per acre,
compared to 150 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 SIS. The
estimated production last year was
$4,000 tons, and the average for the
Swear period has been 458,000 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 po-
tato crop is 5,091,0 bushels, COM
pared with $4,000 bushels, the
1922 crop, and to 4,437,00 bushels,
the average for the 5-year period. The
condition of potatoes on Sept. 1 was
Sc, showing two points decline from
the Aug. / condition. A year ago
the condition was 90, and the 10-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
area of the eastern
quarter of the state. Prospects for
the marketing spuds are much better
than year ago, as prices are much
more encouraging. Only 1882 cars Of
the big 1922 crop we're 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 further
decline, and crop of 677, 900 bushels
is expected. compared to last years
production of 900 bush
els, and to $4,000 bushels, the g.
year average production. The condi-
ton of apples Sept. l was So,
month ago, 81, year ago As, and the
l0-year average Sept. condition, 70.
Hail, scab, and blight have been the
chief factors adversely affecting the
apple crop. Quality has been damag-
I'd more than quantity. 1t is estimat-
I'd that few more than 100 cars of
ancy apples will go out of Montana
this year, but probably some
200 cars of lower grade apples will
De shipped. Carlot shipments of last
ears crop totaled 393, for the 1921
,rop, 686 cars; and for the 1920 crop
I43 cars.
Sugar Beets. Sugar beets continue
o show very promising, and yields
equal to or exceeding those of last
Tear are expected. Pulling beets will
commence soon after the
5th of September.