The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-07-16
MONTANA HARD HIT
AND BOTH DAKOTAS
REPORT Big DAMAGE
Cry All Over Northwest Is for
Rain to Relieve Deterio-
ration of Grains
SOME COUNTIES LOOK fine
Others Show Premature Ripen-
ing, Weeds, Rust; Farmers
Cutting Down on Labor

More than q week of excessively hot
temperatures have caused permanent
injury to much OF the wheat In the
northwest and prospects for q heavy
or even normal-crops have faded
rapidly recently, the Farmers Union
Terminal association weekly report
says.
July is the critical month for
wheat in the Northwest" the review
says. Prospects prior to the Fourth
were generally the best in years, but
exceptionally favorable weather now
will be necessary If damage which al
ready has resulted Is to be even partly
recovered.
1.-THE heat has caused heavier dam
age In South Dakota, North Dakota
and Montana than in Minnesota.
Crop conditions in Minnesota have
been vastly improved In the past 10
days, as corn is of far greater impor-
lance In that state than wheat. Cor
respondents who have examined wheat
fields around Montevideo, Redwood
Falls, Olivia, Willmar, Milan, Orton-
vile, Wheaton and in the upper Red
river valley report no o rust DAM
age than is normal and little or no
black rust. Rye is being cut in south
ern North Dakota and Minnesota and
barley is fast ripening. Wheat and
all grains are fine almost without ex-
ception in Minnesota N crop expert
wired.
Immediate Rain Needed
However, the heat has prematurely
ripened wheat in many parts OF
North Dakota and South Dakota.
Unless there Is immediate rainfall and
more moderate temperatures, little
Improvement can be expected. The
heat has produced q rapid growth Of
straw and brought about conditions
which make wheat susceptible to in
cubation of rust spores. Weeds also
will play an important part in wheat
yields in many sections.
Montana has been hit probably
more by the heat than any state. The
Montana department Of agriculture
reports that crops have deteriorated
in the past 10 days to the extent that
prospects are now that the yield will
be less than the unsatisfactory crop
Of 1929, with some Of the fields too far
gone for recovery A telegram from
Culbertson, Mont, says that intense
hot weather has blistered the wheat
in northwestern Montana. Much i0f
the wheat is blighted. Some cr1nkle-
joint is reported. Rain is badly needed
70 nelp crops
Until the excessive heat wave,
grains in North Dakota had made
favorable progress. Flax is in bloom,
but the crop Is uneven. Rains are
generally needed. Spring wheat,
barley and speltz are headed out In
most parts of the state. Rains In
Walsh, Ramsey, Cavalier and Towner
counties had improved prospects prior
to the heat wave. Reports from
Pierce and Benson counties generally
are quite favorable. In south central
North Dakota the outlook is good,
especially in Ransom, Dickey and La
Mo,xe counties. Crops in Grand
Forks county r spotted.
Hope Still Persists
while the heat wave has caused
pessimism to replace optimism in crop
reports generally, there Is still hope
that favorable weather may relieve
the situation and that clouds may
paint a brighter picture than has the
sunshine Of the past 10 days.
"While there has not been an
abundance Of moisture at any time
this year in the northwest, except
In scattered districts, there had been
quite general rains prior to the wave
Of 100-degree temperatures and grains
sometimes stage q comeback after
farmers and crop experts have decided
that there Is little hope.
I'm nearly all districts there is q
surplus Of labor. Indications now are
that very little extra help will be en-
ployed on farms, due to the low prices
for grains and the desire Of farmers
to reduce expenses to the minimum.
The use Of combines also will decrease