Evening star., 1947-07-27
Most Crops
Are Surviving
Wet Weather
By james BirchfieId

Generally speaking, farmers In
the Washington area expect good
harvests this year, although some
damage was reported by recent rains
According to reports from the
dairy counties in Maryland and Vir-
ginia, pastures have been excellent
thereby reducing farmers feed costs
In scattered sections some hay losses
were reported because of wet
weather. University of Maryland
officials reported that alfalfa in some
sections of the State spoiled be-
cause of dampness.
Clearing weather last week en-
abled most farmers in the area to
complete harvesting small grains
Most binder grains had been har-
vested earlier in the month, but
rains had retarded the combine
harvesting to the danger point.
Small grains left in the shock
were in danger of damage by sprout-
ing when clearing weather in most
sections allowed farmers to continue
threshing operations.
Walter B. Posey, tobacco specialist
at the University of Maryland, re-
ported that excessive rains this sea-
son may result in decrease in the
tobacco crop. Mr.. Posey said wet
weather has caused plants to head
out lower than usual, and that this
may cut the yield.
Farm Incomes Continue RisAe
Farmers incomes continue on"the
increase, according to the Bureau of
Agricultural Economics. The bureau
reported that in the first six months
of this year, farmers received about
$11, 700, 900, 600 from farm market
ings, about 80 per cent more than
last year.
The bureau said receipts from
livestock and products rose to about
$1,000, 100000, or nearly 40 per cent
more than last year. Cash receipts
from dairy products rose about 80
per cent: income from poultry and
eggs was 10 per cent above last year
and receipts from crops rose 20 per
cent over year ago.
Receipts from livestock and prod
ucts last month were nearly so per
cent above June, 1916, the bureau
but added that part of the
increase resulted from the small
in June. 1916. This was
because farmers held meat animals
off the markets in anticipation of
higher prices.
Limestone Deliveries Resumed.
Deliveries to farmers of limestone
under the AAA program will be re-
sumed Immediately, according to
Joseph H. Blandford, chairman of
the Maryland Production g. Market
ing Administration Committee.
Deliveries under the program were
early in June pending
final appropriation of funds by Con-
gress. The deliveries to be made now
are those orders already in the
hands of contractors, Mr.. Bland
ford said.
In addition to lime deliveries, Mr.
Blandford said contractors having
orders for superphosphates also will
be authorized to make deliveries. Nc
new orders are to be issued to
farmers at the present time.
Forest Fires Reported.
The Forest Service reported that
4 ,474 forest fires burned over almost
95 900 acres of National forests and
adjacent lands protected by the SER
vice during the first six months OF
this year. The cost of suppression
was estimated in the neighborhood
of 100000, and the service said
all were man made except 519 that
were set by lightning.
Forest Service officials said the
number of fires this year was 100 less
than for the same period in 1916, but
was above the previous five-year
average. More than half of this
years fires occurred in the II South
ern States, the service said.
Hen House Repairs Recommended
DR.. Morley A. JUL, head of the
University of Maryland Poultry De-
partment, has advised poultry pro-
ducers to repair laying houses now
against the winter weather. Leaky
roofs and drafty houses will result
in lower egg production and will
make hens more susceptible te
diseases.
Farm Safety Urged.
Pointing out that SO deaths from
farm accidents occurred in Maryland
during the last three years, Guy
Gienger, extension agricultural en-.
gineer at the University OF Mary
land, urged State farmers to use
more care in preventing misshaps
Mr.. Gienger said SO of the 8;
deaths were caused by accidents
with farm machinery. 18 with live
stock and 27 resulted from falls, ex.
plosions, firearms, wood cutting anc
lightning. Most of the accidents
occurred during the planting, eulti-
waiting and harvesting period
PLANT PEONIES
L.,