10 



some report that it has been checked by the drought. With 

 favorable conditions as to heat and moisture during August 

 and the first week of September the crop should mature 

 nicely and should give a more than average yield. A recur- 

 rence of the droughty condition would undoubtedly seriously 

 damage even the corn crop. Silos gain in favor in the dairy 

 sections, and there the greater part of the crop is used for 

 ensilage, but elsewhere they are not used to any extent, even 

 being neglected in many cases by those farmers who are en- 

 gaged in milk production. 



The Hay Crop. 



The hay crop had been practically all secured at the time 

 of making returns, and indeed in most sections much earlier. 

 It is generally reported as being less than an average crop, 

 only a few correspondents reporting it as average or above. 

 Probably a fair averaging of the reports would give the con- 

 clusion that there was about three-fourths of a normal crop 

 secured for the State as a whole. It was generally secured 

 in excellent condition, and was reported as of excellent qual- 

 ity. Rowen did not promise very well at time of making 

 returns, owing to the severe dry weather just after the first 

 crop was removed, but frequent rains would doubtless im- 

 prove the outlook. 



FoKAGE Crops. 

 There is about the usual area devoted to forage crops in 

 most sections, though there are numerous reports from the 

 southeastern counties that none were so^vn, owing to the 

 ground being too dry for the seed to germinate. Com is the 

 crop most commonly grown for this purpose, with the millets 

 and oats following, in second and third places, and Hun- 

 garian grass and barley coming closely together after them 

 in the order named. Barley is the favorite crop for late 

 forage, Oats and peas, sown together, are raised to a con- 

 siderable extent. Other forage crops are rye, wheat, man- 

 gels and carrots. 



