The Bozeman courier., 1927-08-05

The hardest question to answer to-
DAY In connection with Montana agri-
cultural production this year is what
the wheat crop Will be, 1t is evident
from the difference of opinion of grain
men, farmers, railroad men and others
VINO follow the subject. The only
thing on which they agree is that the
output VIII be considerably larger than
last year.
Fifty million bushels is the estimate
OF the more conservative, while the more
optimistic say it will be 65,000,000 bush
els. The United States department. Of
agriculture's estimate as Of July is ST.
131 ,000-11, 1852 900 bushels of winter
wheat and 45,869,0 900 bushels Of spring
wheat. This would be 12,500,000 bushels
more than the 1926 crop and 5000, 900
bushels more than the states record
yield in 1922.
The spring wheat estimate for this year
! exceeds the total harvest of 1926 when
there were A, ,665, 900 bushels, SO 393 900
bushels being spring wheat and 6,272, 900
bushels winter wheat.
Those who are in a position to know
say that some Of the winter wheat in
Montana is the finest they have ever
seen. This applies especially to the Fife
and HighwoOd areas near Great Falls.
where four-foot stands are common and
Wnere the farmers predict that the crop
VIII go the limit" But the winter
wheat crop at the best is not a fourth of
the total wheat output in the state.
Early Wheat Good
Spring wheat that was seeded early is
likewise in wonderful condition and
promises exceedingly heavy yields. This
situation is general over much of the
state. 1t is true in the triangle region,
especially the northern part. The Havre
locality is highly optimistic. Crops all
along the Great Northern main line, par
ticularly in the Milk river valley, are in
a condition justifying predictions Of big
production.
The southeastern part of the state
which last year was hit by adverse
weather conditions and consequently had
poor crops, seems to have a good outlook
for this year.
What the late seeded spring wheat will
DO is the question on which the answer
OF what the state yield will be hinges
Just how much of the wheat was planted
late does not seem to be known. 1t is
known, however, that the cold, late
spring and then the rains in MAY retard-
ed planting in many cases, which meant
that some wheat went in during the first
half Of June or farmers who had intend.
ed to plant wheat put in other crops.
Reports vary as to the conditics. - thiI
| late wheat Some are hopeful %Gst i
! Will mature satisfactorily. 9th IS cepor
7 that it is not progressing as Il snoul,l
All seem agreed that the maio dsnpe
to the late wheat is early frost, prevent
ing It's maturing.
/, Harvest Starts Soon
Harvesting Of winter wheat will beg
in this state soon after AugI!s
= l. Last year it was about two week
earlier. In 10 days the first intimatiol
e Of what protein contents are should b
S had. What the protein premium is TO b
/. is still in. doubt, the Kansas crop being
it is said, the deciding factor this yeal
The railroads Of the state are maxim
big preparations to move the crop. Tn
Great Northern, Northern Pacific and tn
Milwaukee are storing many cars in tn
7 state to be ready for the crop. The Gree
Northern, which hauled 100000 bush
els of wheat from Montana last year, eX
poets to haul from % 100000 to 100000
bushels this season. The Milwaukee ar
ID ticipateS an increase Of about 100000
on the northern Montana division.
Because Of the railroads preparation
there has been no congestion in movin
Montana's wheat crop the last few year
Il Railroad men point out that althoug
m the task of handling the crop is increa:
agricultural position, the carriers haV
worked out their arrangements so we
that no trouble is being experienced.
Elevators Must Prepare
If there is difficulty this year in dii
posing Of the crop promptly it will
at the terminal elevators, it is said.
, the Montana crop should be markets
, at the same time as some other lars
crop, the terminal elevators Will ha'
to be prepared, as otherwise they will NJ
; be able to receive the wheat, and shil
ping will be out Of the question unit
the elevators have disposed of their su
n plus.
" There is thought to be real danger
IL such a situation. Crops in the are
IS. east Of Montana and elsewhere are lat
We The lateness Of the season is indicate
Ia by the reports Of persons who have T
ne turned from the Iowa corn region, wi
as say that the corn there is no higher nc
DO than it is in Montana.
Of Many of the wheat farmers of Il
n. state are better prepared for the harve
a. than formerly. Combine harvesters a
y. being used in more cases. This mea
es that the harvesting period is reduc
Of and adverse weather is not the factor
s. was.