658 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



mixed hay as compared with last year is 84 per cent; prairie hay 

 is estimated at 89 per cent. About one-third of hay crop is being 

 baled. The condition of apples has fallen to 52 ; peaches show a con- 

 dition of 74. The commercial peach crop of southern Missouri is one 

 of the best ever known. Condition of broom corn is 73 ; flax, 64 ; 

 melons, 63 ; tobacco, 66 ; cotton, 84, and cowpeas, 80. 



September 6 — August was an unfavorable month for Missouri 

 farmers. At Columbia the rainfall for the month was but .77 of an 

 inch. The highest temperature was 105 degrees, but on eleven days 

 during the month it was 100 or more. Corn condition is 41.8, a loss 

 of 29 points for the State. Condition by sections shows : North- 

 east, 43; northwest, 45; central, 41; southwest, 34; southeast, 46. 

 Even in the northwestern section where heat and drouth did com- 

 paratively little damage early in the season, the crop suffered 

 greatly during August. There is much good corn in river bottoms 

 and on low land. North of the Missouri river the greatest lack of 

 rain has been in Audrain and other northeastern counties. It is 

 estimated that 20 per cent of the corn crop of the State has been 

 cut, and that 40 per cent more will go into shock. More silos than 

 ever before have been or will be filled. Dry weather has held back 

 plowing for wheat, only 30 per cent of the ground having been 

 plowed. Estimates for the new crop place the acreage at 89 per 

 cent, but with sufficient rainfall and a favorable season for seeding, 

 this acreage may be greatly increased. Yield of timothy seed will 

 be very light and acreage only 41 per cent of normal. Yield of rye 

 is placed at 14.2 bushels; buckwheat, 10.3; barley, 18; flax, 6, but 

 final figures may differ. Condition of cotton is 67; tobacco, 52, and 

 cowpeas, 53. Water for live stock is now a serious matter, 88 per 

 cent of correspondents reporting a shortage. The condition of 

 pastures has fallen to 25 per cent. It is estimated that 30 per cent 

 of farmers are now feeding new corn. Number of hogs on feed as 

 compared with one year ago is placed at 58 per cent; number of 

 spring pigs on farms, 75 per cent ; number of sows for fall farrow, 

 72 per cent ; number of cattle on feed, 54 per cent ; number of stock 

 cattle on farms, 73 per cent. It is estimated that 24 per cent of the 

 cattle have been disposed of owing to drouth. 



September 27 — This is the report ordinarily issued on the first 

 Saturday in October. One of the worst drouths for many years 

 has been broken by a general rain. However, more rain is needed. 

 Rainfall at Columbia since September 1 has been 3.68 inches. High- 

 est temperature for month was 103 ; lowest, 27, on the morning of 



