The Crop Report For January

Lansing, Feb. 11, 1902.

There was very little precipitation in the state during January. The weather was exceptionally fine and quite uniform in temperature. In many parts of the state snow drifted leaving the ground bare. In other sections the fields were thinly covered, thus affording the wheat crop some protection. The temperature was so even that there was scarcely any freezing and thawing, thus making it favorable for wheat not covered with snow.

In reply to the question, "Has wheat during January suffered injury from any cause?" 70 correspondents in the southern counties answer "yes" and 289 "no;" in the central counties 21 answer "yes" and 118 "no," and in the northern counties 3 answer "yes" and 60 "no". Snow protected wheat in the southern counties 3.18 weeks, in the central counties 3.15 weeks, in the northern counties 3.82 weeks and in the state 3.24 weeks.

The average depth of snow on the 15th was, in the southern counties 2/42 inches, in the central counties 2.40 inches, in the northern counties 7.84 inches and in the state 3.03 inches. 

On the 31st the average depth in the southern counties was 2.96 inches, in the central 2.53 inches, in the northern counties 9.88, and in the state 3.64 inches.

The total number of bushels of wheat reported marketed by farmers in January at the flouring mills is 214,900, and at the elevators 111,785, or a total of 326,685 bushels. Of this whole amount, 168,338 were marketed in the southern four tiers of counties, 147,920 in the central counties and 10,427 in the northern counties. The total number of bushels of wheat reported marketed in the six months, August - January, is 2,120,594, which is 229,391 bushels less than reporter marketed in the same months last year. At 46 mills and elevators from which reports have been received, there was no wheat marketed in January. The total amount of wheat shipped by railroads from the various stations, as reported for December, is 274,413 bushels.

Live stock throughout the state is in fairly good condition; hog cholera still prevails in many counties and there has been some losses among horses from distemper. The condition in the state of horses and sheep is 96, of cattle 95 and swine 97.

FRED M. WARNER

Secretary of State