141 
merly. In Minnesota it is said to be in good condition in Becker, [santi, 
Goodhue, McLeod, Houston, Sibley, Steele, and Washington. In Winona 
it is badly injured where not sheltered. 
Rice County, Minn.—Winter-wheat is not a sure crop with us, though in some 
seasons it has yielded splendidly, from 25 to 40 bushels per acre. This was the case 
two years ago; but last year it was nearly a failure. Spring-wheat is more reliable, 
and is in fact worth more per bushel than winter. 
Scott County, Minn.—But very little is planted in this county. What is needed 
here is a hardy winter variety. Four quarts of a winter variety, which I received 
from the Department in the fall of 1871, was planted as late as October 1. The pro- 
duct of the four quarts was four bushels, which was sown last fall. The snow has 
just disappeared, and this wheat is looking very well. Rye generally looking well. 
But little is sown. ’ : 
Carver County, Minn.—Winter wheat and rye look very well, but the growth of win- 
ter-wheat is too much neglected. The farmer should not be discouraged by one failure, 
which they will have sometimes. The yield is five bushels to the acre more than 
spring-wheat, and the price fifteen cents per bushel greater. Tell them to try more 
winter-wheat; it will pay. If it fails the land is in better condition for spring crops, 
Iowa reports a very small area in poor condition. In Fremont that 
which was drilled was good; Ringgold, good; Appanoose and Jeffer- 
son, average; winter-killed in Wayne, Adams, Lucas, Johnson, Polk, 
Allamakee, Madison, Marion, Louisa, Jackson,and Des Moines. ‘None 
grown” was the report in a majority of the counties. 
Montrose County, lowa.—Winter-wheat presents a worse appearance than for many 
years, though the drill has been almost universally used. This is accounted for because 
of the character of our snows during the past winter. Although we were visited by 
heavy snow-falls, it was so dry and accompanied by such strong winds that the snow 
was drifted to a great depth in lanes, roads, and against fences, while the great body 
of the field would be comparatively bare. Being thus without cover and exposed to 
unheard-of freezes, there will be little winter-wheat except on fields protected by bluffs 
or next to the fences where it was covered with snow. Winter-rye looks well. 
Page County, Jowa.—F all-wheat looks very bad, especially that sown by hand, many 
fields being entirely killed. The drilled is much better, but under the most favorable 
circumstances will not produce more than half or two-thirds of an average crop. 
. The promise is better in Missouri than last spring, but still not good. 
In Clinton the prospect is “‘ very good ;” “‘ better than usual” in Adair ; 
“unusually fine” in Benton; “ better than for three years” in Johnson, 
and doing well in Shelby, Linn, Reynolds, Pettis, Daviess, Callaway, 
Ralls, Lawrence, and other counties. In Carroll early wheat looks well ; 
in Moniteau that protected by timber is safe; ‘ not quite so well as 
usual” in Stoddard; ‘‘50 per cent. better than last year” in Montgom- 
ery; ‘ better than last year, but not first-rate,” in Jackson. With good 
weather and exemption from insects, there is still a possibility of an 
average crop. 
In Kansas a still better prospect is indicated. In Linn wheat looks 
“as well as it ever did ;” in Montgomery it was “ never better ;” “ bet- 
ter than for five years” in Neosho; “ very fine” in Crawford ; in Bour- 
bon “ 200 per cent. better than last year ;” the “prospect could not be 
better” in Cherokee. Rain is needed in Marion, and in Osage the win- 
ter’s rains wrought some injury. In Shawnee “ drilled wheat is good ;” 
in Jefferson “ early-sown is very fine ;” in Marshall “late-sown is badly 
killed.” Several counties return complaints of poor condition, among 
them Lyon, Chase, Ellsworth, Rice, Washington, Smith, Ottawa, and 
Riley. 
Audrain County, Mo.—Winter-wheat looks very well, but a small area sown on ac- 
count of the chinch-bug being so destructive. Very little rye sown for the same 
reason. 
ete County, Mo.— Wheat, on land well prepared and the grain drilled in, looks 
well. : i 
Greene County, Mo.— Wheat is very backward, but on account of an unusual amount 
of snow this winter it is looking well. Ground well covered. , 
Jasper County, Mo.—Wheat looking 25 per cent. better than April 1, 1872, drilled be- 
