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ing in better condition than broadcast, and early drilled looking much better than 
ate. 
Vernon County, Mo.—Winter-wheat was mostly sown very late on account of chinch- 
bugs, and can now hardly be discovered. Has not stooled any as yet, but the bud is 
healthy and looks as well as usual for this time of year except being late. 
Wilson County, Kans.—I have never, in any State, seen a better (if as good) prospect 
for an abundant wheat crop than we have here at this time. é 
Labette County, Kans.—Better than ever was known in the county, and it goes to 
prove the facts that care in seeding, sowing early, and using drills is the great secret 
of raising wheat. We have now (April 1) any number of fields on which the wheat is 
from four to six inches high, in which a rabbit can hide. 
Republic County, Kans.—Winter-wheat is in fair condition ; that plowed or drilled in 
quite early on new ground, or very late, decidedly the best. Ground four or five years 
es and in good condition (very loose) is killed some. The winter has been severely 
cold. 
Woodson County, Kans.—An unusual snow-fall has favored the wheat crop, and the 
prospect is good for a large yield. The winter held on steady until the first of 
March, and then a fine rain fell, and spring, with its joyous sunshine, set in, and 
farmers are jubilant over the prospect of a fruitful season. 
Doniphan County, Kans.—Winter-wheat was somewhat damaged, and much of the 
finer kinds killed outright. Tappahannock wheat, sent out by the Department, was 
sown on excellent ground, came up and grew nicely, but was killed by the first hard 
frost. One hundred acres Lancaster wheat, sown by a neighbor, was killed. Much of 
the wheat sown on old ground is killed or injured, more or less. Wheat sown in corn- 
fields or on new ground is much better. 
McPherson County, Kans.—There were about 2,000 bushels sown last fall, but the 
condition of it now is very hard. I would say that about half of it is dead. This 
failure is the fault of the farmers, as they are mostly all new beginners in that 
business. : 
The reports from California are very encouraging. There is no posi- 
tive statement of poor condition. In Stanislaus it is stated that wheat 
is not equal to that of last year by 10 per cent., and that rain is needed. 
The prospect is better than several years in Mendocino. The plant is 
thought to be forward for the season in Del Norte. Rain is needed in 
San Diego. The following extracts further illustrate the condition of 
wheat in California: 
Placer County, Cal.—I answer by saying that during a residence of twenty-three years 
in this county I have never seen the prospect for wheat as good as at the present time. 
If there is nothing happens to our wheat crop it will astonish the world. 
Alameda County, Cal—Wheat and other grain is looking full more than average at 
this season of the year, and if nothing should befall the crop we will have an abundant 
harvest. There was a larger breadth of wheat planted the past fall and winter in this 
State than ever before in one season. Many fields of early-sown wheat now stand 
over two feet high. 
Santa Clara County, Cal.—Wheat is ii good condition ; never more promising at this 
season of the year than now. An occasional rain from now until the Ist of May, and 
the harvest of 1873 will be the most bountiful ever reaped on this coast by 75 per cent., 
provided the rust and smut do not attack the crop.* 
San Joaquin County, Cal.—Grain of all kinds never looked better or more promising 
at this season of the year, and never has there been so large a surface covered, with 
wheat particularly. It is estimated that over 50,000,000 bushels will be raised in the 
State. 
Contra Costa County, Cal.—Our rainy season setting in early was favorable to early 
seeding under most favorable conditions, and justifies the hope of a very abundant 
yield, even an increase on our last year’s crop. Earliest wheat and barley from 6 to 12 
inches high and very thrifty, with slight exceptions. 
Sonoma County, Cal.—Our winter-sown wheat is in very fine condition, and never 
were the prospects more flattering for a bountiful crop as at present. Should we be 
favored with the usual spring rains Sonoma County will exceed in yield all its former 
crops and show a larger average yield than any other county in the State. 
The prospect in Oregon is exceedingly good, not an unfavorable return 
being received. Several reporters say that the indications of a good 
crop never were greater. : 
