The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-04-17
MONTANA FARM
CONDITION APR. LIST.

lulOiiIdud cooperative CIOp HepOTC
ing Service)
Winter wheat in the state is ir
much better shape than a year ago
and is apparently beginning the sum
mer growth under quite favorable
conditions, while prospects for rye
are less favorable, but still much
better than in the surfing of 1928.
The number of breeding sows or
hand in the state exceeds the num-
Der last spring by a large margin.
Soil moisture conditions are more
satisfactory than usual in most dis
tricts, and it appears that farmers
will generally get an earlier start
with field work than they have for
the last two years, which will par
TALLY relieve the handicap of the ad-
verse farm labor situation.
Winter Wheat
Prospects for winter wheat look
encouraging, with the crop having
a condition rating of SO. 1t is a
little difficult to determine the ex-
act condition of many fields, espec-
tally since there was SO much snow
in March. Much of the ares was
seeded late last fall, but soil mois-
ture conditions were quite favorable
in the principal counties. Snow
covering has been very light owe
most of the fields during the past
winter and there has been a great
deal of alternate thawing and freez-
ing, and a little injury from soil
blowing; but the apparent total in
Jury to the crop has not been SER
ious.
The condition of rye on April l
is SO per cent of normal, compared
to "a last December. Rye was seed
ed last fall under less favorable con-
ditions generally than winter wheat,
especially in the northern counties
where it was dry, and much seed did
not sprout until recent weeks. The
winter has not been favorable until
the March SHOWS came. Stands are
expected to be Rye has
been all but discontinued as a cash
crop, due to the very low market
price for the last three years.
Breeding Sows
The number of breeding sowe in
the state is estimated at $4,000, as
compared with $4,000 a year ago.
This is 18 per cent increase over last
wear. The most pronounced IN
crease in hogs is in the corn growing
counties, particularly in the eastern
counties. In the irrigated sections
of the mountainous districts the IN
crease is apparently small, with re-
ports indicating decreases IN some
localities. Although market prices
for hogs have not been satisfactory,
many farmers have been able to
market their corn and other feeds
through hogs, with a small margin
of profit.
General Conditions
The crop outlook for the state was
materially improved in March by the
freouent SHOWS which covered the
entire state, but were heavier IN the
mountain, central, south central and
through counties adjoining Wyom-
ing in the southeast. The soil re-
ceiyed full benefit from March pre-
c~ipitation, as there was little frost
in the ground and the moisture seep-
ed into the soil, until now soil moist
ure is sufficient over most OF the
state to insure a good start for crops
and grasses. The counties west OF
the Divide, however, are short OF
soil moisture, while the reserves are
reported low in the north central
counties and in parts of others north
of the Missouri.
Little field work had been done
before April /, except west OF the
Farmers in general will
probably get an earlier start with
their spring work than they have for
the past two years, although excess
i've moisture and cold will delay the
work in fields, in sections east OF
Gallatin county to the Powder River
Roads were very poor during most