Evening star., 1940-04-11
Winter Wheat Crop
Reported Smallest
Since 1888
u. S. Officials Estimute
29 Per Cent of TotuI
Acreage Abandoned
BY the Associated Press.


With an estimated 20 per cent of
the seeded acreage abandoned be-
cause Of damage from drought and
other unfavorable weather condi-
tions, the Agriculture Department
forecast yesterday q winter wheat
crop Of 426,215, 600 bushels, or the
smallest since 1893.
Based on conditions prevailing
April l, the estimate was about
27,00oJ0 900 bushels larger than one
made on the basis OF conditions
prevailing December /. The de-
partment said conditions had i'm
proved since the latter date, but
that there was much uncertainty
about the crop in the heart of the
winter wheat belt, particularly in
Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and
parts Of Colorado and Texas.
A report issued by the Weather
Bureau today indicated that drought
conditions in the Midwest had i'm
proved since April / as a result of
good rains during the past several
days.
The winter wheat forecast was
nearly fourth lower than last years
production of 563 ,43l 600 bushels and
the l0-year 1929-38) average of
ST. ,067 900 bushels.
Supplies Are Ample.
Despite the short crop outlook
officials said indications pointed to
ample supplies to meet normal
American requirements of about
660, ,0OO, 900 bushels annually. A win
ter wheat crop of the size indicated
plus a normal spring wheat crop of
200 900 900 bushels, would provide
626 100000 bushels. Surpluses from
past crops are estimated at about
300 900 900 bushels. Thus the total
supply would be about 5000, 600
bushels.
The department said preliminary
surveys indicated that 13,l14,OOC
acres of the 45,014, 900 seeded to win
ter wheat would be abandoned be-
cause Of crop damage. The acreage
left for harvest would be about 81
100000 or about 16 per cent under
the 1899 harvested acreage and
'oout eq lal to the 10-year average.
The department placed the indi-
Gated yield Of wheat per seeded acre
at 9.5 bushels, compared with 12.1
in 1889 and IL for the 10-year aver
age.
Reports showed pastures a little
late but with about average pros
poets ahead, fruits in about average
condition Notwithstanding some
winter injury. and the general crop
and moisture situation not greatly
different from the average at this
season during recent years, but
somewhat less promising than in
decades prior to 1888
Fruit Trees Uninjured.
The condition of the rye crop on
April l was said to have been SO per
cent Of normal, compared with 70
per cent a year ago.
Fruit and nut trees came through
the winter with little or no injury
from low temperatures, the depart
ment said. Prospects were said to
indicate fair to good supplies of most
fruits for the 1910 season. Late
spring and early summer supplies of
citrus fruits were said to be smaller
than last season, due to severe
freeze damage in Florida.
The department reported farm
stocks of grains on April this year
and last, respectively, as follows:
Corn, 1926 sos 900 and 1920 603,-
600 bushels; wheat, 157 ,484 900 and
1873 ,408 900, and oats, 346, ,160 900 and
IA 1866, 900.
The corn stocks were said to have
been the largest for any April
since 1925. when April / estimates
were first reported. Much of this
grain was stored under Government
loans to producers.