The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-28
MISSOURI SLOPE CROPS REPORTED
NEXCEPTI0NALLY GOOD SHAPE AS
& COMPARED TO REST OF NO. DAKOTA
Rains in Last Week Relieved
Drouth Damage, But Not
Until Permanent Damage
Had Been Done to Crops in
Some Sections, Weekly Ag.
ricultural College Report
Declares.


Fargo, N. D., June 28.-Drouth con-
ditions which prevailed over u good
share Of the state were broken by
the general rains of the past week,
but not until permanent damage to
the gram crops had been sustained
in almost every section except the
western third, according to crop re-
ports received by the North Dakota
Extension division from % county
extension agents Of the state.
Hot weather caused a forced
growth of wheat, with the result that
the crop is heading out with very
short straw in many localities. Tip
burning is also quite general. South
western Missouri Slope counties, and
the northwest to a lesser degree, con-
stitute an exception in that crop con-
diticns are reported to be very favor
able in those localities where good
farming practices are used. The
greatest drouth damage is in the
counties south and west of Devils
Lake. where reductions in prospects
amount to 25 or 30 percent according
to -hn rnrorts.
No infections of black stem rust OF
wheat have yet beeen reported in the
state, and plant pathologists declare
that indications are that the disease
should not take as heavy a toll as
usual.
Last yoar the first report of black
stem rust in the state was made on
June g." declares DR.. Wanda Weni-
ger, plant pathologist of the Expert
ment station "The year previous
the first report was June 13, and the
year before June 6. First reports
of black stem rust of wheat are
usually received just prior to or at
the time of heading out. As the crop
is already headed out as rule, the
disease is late in making its appear
ance."
Potato fields in the vicinity of
Fargo are showing thin stands in
some cases due to rotting Of seed
pieces, a few fields having stands
ranging from 20 to so percent. Black
leg and Rhizoctonia are already
showing up in some. of the potato
fields, the plant pathologists report,
and they declare this to be an early
date for the appearance Of these dis
eases. Scattered reports Of grasshop-
per damage continue there are some
reports of losses from wheat canker
in fax. Early and late sown grain
is comparatively in better condition
than other small grains, according to
the report.
Half of last years crop of rye
would seem to be maximum esti-
mate according to the reports OF
many farmers plowing and pastur
ing their rye fields, and many other
fields that will not be worth cut
ting, coupled with the reduced acre
age. Corn has been favored by the
weather more than small grains,
but the recent rains came at an un-
fortunate time for farmers who
were haying, and there will be big
loss in quality Of hay which has
been lying on the ground during
the wet weather. g
Hessian fly infection is reported
in the western part of the state but
the fly is at the stage where it will
do no damage to this years crop,
according to the report.
Hail losses aook big jump dur
ing the week and are nearly up to
last years figure, according to the
state hail insurance department at
Bismarck. Total losses to date are
1850 compared with 1852 a year
ago. Heaviest losses during the
week were reported from Bowman
Adams, Logan, Kidder, Bottineau
Emmons, Logan, McHenry and