The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-07-25

under generally favorable soil mois-
ture conditions in practically all of
the region east of a line from Glacier
park to Livingston, excellent condi-
lions prevailing. Rain greatly i'm
proved prospects in the Flathead re-
gion. In other southwestern coun-
ties to the Belt mountains west of
the divide, and in the mountains, the
rainfall has been deficient, and crops
have been injured. A shortage of ir-
rigation water is reported in the two
extreme southwestern counties, and
there the range grass is burned badly,
| feed is short, and some stock will
have to be moved out if good rains
are not had soon. Some losses have
been reported from hail, but thus far
they have been confined to relatively
small areas, and have been less Sc
we're than usual.
Best In History
The condition of spring and winter
wheat on July l points to a prospec-
tive production of 54,451,000 bush
els, which will be the largest wheat
crop ever harvested in Montana, pro-
vided average favorable conditions
maintain until harvest The total
estimated wheat production last year
was 52,486,000 bushels, and the av-
erage for the five-year period (1919-
23) was 40,506,000 bushels.
Oats Above Average.
Based on condition rating of 81 |
a crop of 21,924,000 bushels of oats
is expected. This compares with last
years production of 22,209,O00 bu-
shells and with the 5-year (1919-23) |
average crop of 14,672,000 bushels.
The general June rains and the cool |
weather improved the outlook for
oats over most of the state.
The condition of barley on July 1 /
was "a, from which production of
2,352,000 bushels is forecast. This
Is slightly less than the 1923 crop,
but 775,000 bushels more than the
average production 1928 Barley
has not made normal progress in the
western and southwestern counties
and is late in all the eastern regions
The preliminary estimated flax
acreage for the state this year is
1000 acres, which is 100 per cent
more than was sown last year, and
more than for the last three years.
rhe average acreage for the 1928
period was 215,000. Flax is in ex-
,ellent condition, being rated at "a,
which forecasts production of
-,712,000 bushels.
Corn Acreage Boosts.
The most striking feature of the |
hanges taking place in Montana t
in recent years is again {
manifest in the fifty-five per cent in 7
rease in the acreage planted to
orn this year, compared to last I
ear, giving an estimated acreage /
f $4,000 acres for 1924. Last
ears acreage was 365, 1000 acres; twol :,
ears ago 1t was 228,000; and the av-
rage for the five-year period (1919-l
81 was 100000 acres. The cold ]
pring has been unfavorable for the o
orn crop, and with condition of rs
production of 11,461,0 900 bushels
, forecast. Production for 1928 was Il
100000 bushels, and the five-year tt
verage 4,318,000 bushels. Ia
The estimated potato acreage in ii
[ontana for 1924 is $1,000 acres, ;,
-hich is 1000 acres more than in
923. The 1922 acreage was $1,000
cres and the 1928 average was a
$1,000 acres. From condition of al
Q production of $4,000 bush y,
s is expected. The 1923 production
as 100000 bushels, for 1922 it
as 100000 bushels, and the av- TT
age for the 1923 period was m
205,000 bushels. Il,
Hay Acreage High. in
The preliminary estimate for tame re
ay acreage in Montana for 1924 is n,
1850 acres which is per cent /,
crease over last year, and about LIZ
10000 more than for the fiVe-year
-919-23) average. The condition ST
all tame hay on July was IS, RI
ON which a production of 100000 -,
MS is forecast. III
Reports from the two companies W.
erating in Montana indicate that IN