The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-07

cattle regions averted an immediate jump in meat prices as pasturage and feed burned out in the north- west. Retail food prices began to follow the wholesale markets up- ward. At least I00,000,000 bushels of wheat have withered and fallen in three months of rainlesS heat. Cattle are starving. Farmers already poverty stricken face Q worse fate when they must rely on income from this summers crops.
 Grain dealers already had rec. oned with this situation when re- ports of yesterdays temperatures arrived. Unofacial temperatures ct Jamestown, N. D., were 1l6, and at Bismarck Ill.
 Over 100 Is Common
 Temperatures over 100 degrees were common in the drought region, which is moving farther east as each day passes. The drought is most severe in the Dakotas. Nehras- ka, Montana and parts of Minneso- to have felt It's worst effects. Tn scattered sections the area from the Rockies to the Alleghanies and as far south as Arkansas and Okla homa has felt the effects of sub- normal rainfall.
 The wheat farmers situation was considered hopeless, At a time when tho spring crop usually is being harvested, grain stalks are less than knee high. Between the rows is brown, cracked earth, dry as dust. The only saving Is that nor- nal wheat crops are reported in sections outside the stricken area.
 Corn crops still can be saved, but only by rain now nowhere In sight. Corn additionally should he knee- high by July {. It is below that now, but heavy, drenching rains would revive 1t.
 The pasturage situation is des- erate--probably hopeless. Grazing fields are burned dry. Livestock owners attempted to ship their cattle outside the drought area, but lost money doing 50. Small grains and corn are too valuable to out for feed.
 Armies of Insects
 Tn Iowa, Nebraska and the Dako- tas, great armies of insects rave aged wheat crops which managed to find Q foothold in the parched soil. Poison bran is being used to combat the scourge.
 The combined insect plaques and drought struck ct every crop. Tn the eastern end of the drought area, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana experienced severe damage. Indiana hay cuttings were ihort, late corn was severely damaged, canning crops are making little or no progress. Rains saved the valuable fruit crops of southern Michigan, but the central sections, where potatoes and beans are principal crops, suf- fered without moisture. Ohio re. ported small grains and valuable dairy pasturage severely damaged.
 The worst of the drought has spread east from the Dakotas into Minnesota. Small sections of the state were ravaged by grasshop- pers, and wheat and Crain fields are beginning to feel the worst ef- fects.
 Half Oat Crop Gone
 one half of Iowa's oat crop has been destroyed by the heat, and grasshoppers have destroyed more than half of the small grain in some sections.
 Kansas reported heavy insect plague damage, and pastures and alfalfa fields are ba:e in Nebraska, where spring grain is being cut for cattle roughage.
 The only hope for the few re- maining crops was an immediate, heavy drenching rain. It must be heavy enough to soak into the soil, where wells as deep as 60 feet have gone dry. It must be heavy enough to drive out the great insect armies, and last long enough to make up for three months of desert condition. Weather bureau ofiicials said no rain was in sight for at least 36 hours.