The Mankato free press., 1923-06-15
WHEAT BACKWARD IN SOME
AREAS, DEPARTMENT FINDS

somewhat since the mlOQle OIL the
month, except IN some sections OF
the Southwest and on the Pacific
coast, according to the semi month
ly crop notes OF the United States
department of agriculture. Wheal
backward in most areas, has suf
fered from draught in some locali
ties and from heavy rains and foods
in others. Chinch bugs are reported
at work in many localities and Hes,
sian flies and green bugs are LII
creasing in numbers. Harvesting has
begun in the southwest where stalks
are short but heads are well filled.
The condition of rye is generally
good. Is heading quite generally and
is ready for harvest in the south
west.
T Spring grains differ greatly /
condition. Spring wheat is mostly VI
TO good stands but is making !:
slow growth. Some seeding still il
progress in the Northwest Oats
average no better than fair condl
tion and need warmer weather anu
sunshine as rule. There is con
siderable lodging in southern areas
Harvesting is already under way in
the South. Stands are poor in many
localities though they are excellent
over large areas. Barley is general
ly in excellent condition though in
juret! to some extent by freezing in
the Northwest and by drought IL
sections of California. Flax in the
Northwest has suffered some dam
age, relatively unimportant. Ric,
sowing continues. The crop is lat
and soil conditions unfavorable bu.
the early sown is generally LOOKING
well
The planting of corn is still i:
progress and has been delayed con
siderably by rains. Early planted i.
quite uneven and color poor in mam
southern areas.
Some damage from floods in tn,
Southwest is reported especially OF
bottom lands. Drought conditions
have also done injury in Texas an(
few other areas. Cut worms arc
doing much damage in Atlantic
Coast States and in the Central
West chinch bugs and wire worms
are reported to be numerous. Goot
stands are general and growth has
been rapid in the southern areas but
is backward as a whole.
The cotton crop is backward ant
is showing considerable deteriora
ton of late In the South Atlantic
States where replanting is being
done over a large area. Growth has
been retarded by rains and COO
weather over large areas Of the
Gulf and Southwestern States. The
weeyil is reported from many areas
and there has been considerable
damage done by worms and grass
hoppers.
Transplanting of tobacco is in full
progress. Plants are late but are ap-
parently plentiful in most areas
Rains have caused some delay and
operations are somewhat backward
An increase of acreage over last
year seems certain.
Early potatoes are generally doing
well in the trucking and CONNER
cial areas Of the South though
localities due to unusually cooI
weather. They now need rain In
many sections. Planting is in pro-
gress in many northern areas. The
transplanting of sweet potatoes is
well advanced in most areas.
On the whole the outlook for
fruits is good. Peaches suffered ST.
verely earlier in the season from
freezing but have been showing i'm
provement of late. Apples are prom
ising we'll as rule although in
orchards along the south Atlantic
coast there has been a rather heavy
drop of late and the prospects
there are not of the best. In the
states on the north Pacific coast a
heavy drop of plums, pears anu
cherries is in progress.
Due to a cool late spring the
growth of the grasses has been slow
and meadows and pastures are short
over the whole country. In most
areas rain and warm weather are
needed. Clover has been badly win :
Lsr killed in numerous sections but
alfalfa has done well on the whole
and first cuttings are generally
making good yields.
Livestock is in good condition
with but little disease existing IN
any area. Cattle are thinner than
usual due to short and late pastur-
age but are now rapidly fattening.
( Truck crops are generally doing
we'll though In many cases they havU
been slow in development due to
cool weather.
The broomcorn harvest in the
Southwest has begun and the acre
age of grain sorghums in this sec
tion will probably be increased
though much replanting must be
done due to food damage.
Sugar cane conditions are now
generally good and sugar beetS
promise a larger acreage than last
year. n
The shortage of farm labor still
continues and is seriously affecting
field activities in many States.
In Pennsylvania and New York
the condition of winter wheat is not
up to the usual but is showing i'm
proyement of late. The condition OF
the plant Is below the average In
MARYLAND and Delaware, mostly, good
in Kentucky and fair in West Vir-
ginia where rain Is badly needed.
The crop Is heading in Virginia,
Oregon, and Idaho. The
plant is deteriorating in North Car
olina and Tennessee and there Is
some rust on the plant in Georgia
though prospects there are still
favorable Abandonment of acreage
Continues in Montana where the
general condition is reported to be
poor, Il has lost some in condition
OF late in the eastern counties of
Kansas and has slightly improved
in the northwestern part OF the
State. Conditions for the plant are
favorable In Missouri, Nebraska
and iowa, but much wheat In Kan
sas and Missouri is infested with
chinch bugs and the fy is operating
at scattered, points in Nebraska anu
Kansas with green bugs along the
Oklahoma border doing some dam
age. The crop is said to be tmprov.
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