Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-10-18

Sfsosooo,eo0- II VALUE Of
TREASURE STATE FARM CROPS

NA0h~ AIAc tCaA q At0AN
than double the ~five-year average
yield. according to new figures OBJ
tanned by the Montana Development
association M Billings. Not only In
a matter Of bushels and tons OF the 10
principal crops this season will the
yield be doubled. hut the monetary
values OF the crops. separately and
as a total will be twice that of the
five-year average since 1919.
The flve-year average value OF the
10 crops is S73.8S6. go, while the value
this year is estimated at S150,1o5.o 900.
or more than double. The September
condition of crops In general estimates
a production of about 51,0O0,000 bush
els of wheat, 23.O00.OO0 bushels OF oats,
more than 100000 bushels OF corn
and also larger crops than last year
in such commodities as flax, barley
and sugar beets.
During the last five years. the wheat
yield has averaged IT .a4s.Hn- bushels
This OF course includes the disastrous
year of 1919. when only about 10000
600 bushels of wheat were produced.
The condition of spring wheat hast
month was reported at 20, a year e
at so and the 10-year average on Sep
TENDER ! has been GO.
Harvesting is practically completed
In eastern and southeastern commune
ties and west OF the divide. but In
other sections threshing is late.
Oats this year viii run close TO n
yield of 23,051. 600 bushels as com
pared with 100000 as a f~ive-year
average. Early threshing returns In
dictate a high average yield Grass
hoppers have damaged scattered por-
lions of this crop and the yield will
not be high in the eastern part of the
state.
Corn production Will almost double
last years yield and Is about five
times the flve-year average yield. The
condition of the crop is reported the
same as a year ago. Rains and other
weather conditions this season have
delayed maturing to some degree. but
it Is filling well and not maturing
rapidly. Corn suffered but little from
the temporary drouth periods Of the
eastern counties.
Barley Ia about double the produc-
ton for the five years, and flax is
about 80 per cent more than the five
year average. Tame hay has a pro-
duction almost equal to the average
though severe damage has been
done by grasshoppers to the alfalfa,
In some other sections not affected by
the insects. Much OF the second crop
of alfalfa was injured by early rains
the hnying season.
Potato yields Will go a little owe
! .OO0.O00 bushels better than the aver.
age. The quality of commercial po-
Is said to be as good or better
than last year but yields are expected
to average lower. due to many poor
and to an apparent light set in
many fields.
Apples do not quite come up TO the
fIve-year average this season, due to
hall. scab and blight. II Is thought
that about 100 cars of fancy apples
Will be shipped from this state this
season and about 200 cars NJ second
grade fruit. Last year the carlot ship
nents totnled 1903 in 1922. $50. and In
1920, 443 cars.
Yields of sugar beets are expected 10
ar outclass those Of last year and the
I've year average as well. No definite
estimate has been set on the tonnage
or this season but probably about
'65 1000 or 10000 tons will be the yield
n this section. which VIII be cut by
he Billings plant.
s. M. Fitzgerald. SO years Of age,