The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-08-10
MONTANA
CROP REPORTS

Factors affecting the condition of
growing crops in Montana for the last
half of July were largely favorable,
but several days of hot weather caused
injury to wheat and other small grains
particularly in the eastern portion of
the state, according to the report of
the Montana Cooperative Crop Re-
porting Service.
Moisture conditions have been gen
orally sufficient for crop needs except
in the east and southeastern parts,
and in few other localities. Several
heavy dOwnpours caused crop losses,
chiefly in the central and southcentral
sections. Hail has done material in
jury in many scattered localities. AL
though grasshoppers injury seems to
be less concentrated than it has been,
yet more or less losses are being suf-
fered by nearly all crops from this
cource in most counties.
In the western two-thirds of the
state, grains have been filling we'll,
while further east much has been
forced by hot weather to mature a
little too early. Winter wheat harvest
is we'll begun, with prospects of heav-
Ter yields in many places than had
been expected a month ago. The av-
erage yield will not be large, due to
many poor stands. Spring wheat has
made rapid progress toward maturity,
and few fields are ready to cut. Best
conditions for this crop are found in
the western two-thirds of the state.
Corn also has gone forward in fine
shape, and as a whole is in better con-
ditiOn now than are small grains. Hay
crops are mostly in good condition,
and wild hay harvest is under way
and the second alfalfa crop is being
cut in the northwest, and in a few
other places. Flax has been injured
some by hot dry weather, but still
promises q good yield. Some fields
have been cut, while many are yet to
bloom Sugar beets are promising
very good yields at this time. The
fruit crops of the Bitter Root Valley
suffered damages from hail to the eX-
tent of fifty per cent during this per-
iod Livestock have made good gains
on abundant grasses, and some cattel
are reported ready to ship now.
Summary BY Districts
Northwestern District (Flathead
and Lincoln Counties). Excellent con-
ditions generally prevail. Hay and
grain crops are very good. Some
scattered damage has resulted from
hopers and hail.
Westcentral District All other
counties west Of the Divide). Condi-
ions generally good. Yields Of small
grains promise to be very good in
Sanders, Missoula and Ravalli coun-
ties. Hay crops, including alfalfa,
timothy, and mixed hays are very
good. Hail storms have reduced the
prospective fruit crops of Ravali by
fifty per cent. Ranges in this district
are very good.
Southwestern District - Beaver
head and Madison cOunties). Mois-
ture conditions adequate and a very
heavy crop of hay will be harvested,
and grain prospects are good to eXcell-
ent. Hopers have done considerable
damage in scattered localities.
Northcentral District From the
Divide east to Phillips County, and in
Guiding Teton and Choteau Counties)
Moisture conditions have continued
favorable. Crops not damaged by
hail or hoppers promise good to excell-
ent yields. The large area included
in the Triangle" except in the south
ern corner, will produce but little crop
this year on account Of hopper devas-
tatiOn, but recent rains have brought
back range grasses in this section in
fairly good shape. Losses from hail
have been limited. Teton, Glacier and
parts of Pondera report the best pros
poets since 1915.
Central District From the Divide
east to Garfield and south to Yellow
stone county and to the southern tieI
of counties). Prospects in this district
are mostly favorable, but are Spotted
chiefly on account Of heavy injuries
from hail, rain and wind storms in
Musselshell, Golden Valley and Fer
gus counties particularly. Hoppers