The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-04
GRAIN CROPS
PROGRESS IN
LAST HALF MAY
u. S. Statistician, Reporting
AS of May 81, Finds Con.
ditiOns Satisfactory
MOISTURE NOW NEEDED

New moisture for growing crops
while not occurring as frequently
during the last half of May as in the
first half of the month was, however.
well distributed in two general rains
that occurred on the 10th and Goth
and on the 29th and 3Oth, says the
semi-monthly report of the U. S.
statistican for North Dakota. Tenn
peratures were more seasonable with
a few warm days at the close of the
month that made possible good
start OF late seedlings. The general
condition of small grain crops is
at present quite satisfactory, and
with the exception of rye, present
reports mostly compare well wit,
those of year ago. Dry weather
for field work has permitted consid-
cradle progress in seeding of flax
and in corn and potato paintings,
while encouraging further seeding
Of oats and barley, and a. start on
Pldwing foF summer fallow. Pas
lures and hay crops are now COM
ing along more fav0rably, although
the hay crop apparently will rot be
as early as last year.
Rye is starting to head out in \
few localities, but is considerably
behind the progress made at this
time year ago. The crop is spot
ted with respect to stands and re-
ports on general condition vary
greatly. There. has undoubtedly
been larger than usual percentage
of acreage re-seeded this spring.
Spring wheat has what might be
termed good general start, with
the cool weather having resulted in
more uniformity as between early
and late seedlings, this is noticeably
true in the southwestern quarter of
the state where soil moisture has
been we'll above average, while the
principal exception to this condition
is found in the northwestern .oun-
ties where dry weather throughout
most of May has retarded later
seedlings. Seeding of durum wheat
in few central localities was still
in progress at the close of the
month but not to any important ex-
tent. Oats and barley have made
very satisfactory start as rule
and conditions have favored extern
sive seeding Of the later varieties. |
Early flax seedlings appear to have
made favorable start, barring some
scattered damage by frosts during
the. first half of the month. 1t isl
yet too early to comment <on the
condition of this crop as the bulk
Of the flax consists of the seedlings
Of latter May and early June. Plant
ing Of corn and potatoes has rro-
gressed rapidly and appear to be we'll
up to the progress made year ago,
when May rains did not permit this
work to become general until tine
last Of the month. Corn will again
be popular with the farmers ir east
ern and southern counties, and the
late spring modification of earlier
intentions is probable. More iudg-
ment, as one reporter phrased it, is
being used in potato planting. The
financial condition Of many of last
years new commercial growers will
result in largo ""mher dropping |
out, speculative acreages will be
very few, while among the old COM
mercial growers, there appears TO
be conservativism with. respect to
this years operations. There is
generally leas concern this spring |
over the Yield outlook, than with the
price outlook ana mere interest in |
diversifying farm programs with
view Of dividing risk. = Il