The Bluffton News

Cutting Of Stand Here is Expected To Be Well Under Way by Fourth

Fields Are Turning Fast As Hot Weather Arrives; Acreage is Lower

Wheat harvesting likely will get under way in the Bluffton area early next week, with indications to the effect that the first of the crop will be in shock by July Fourth, the traditional starting date for wheat cutting.

Lush stands of the grain are ripening rapidly in this week's hot weather, and most fields will be ready for the binder by next Monday.

An average yield is expected, and farm observers expect the quality of this year's crop will be unusually good. Only a few fields were flattened in the heavy storm of 10 days ago, and not too much trouble is expected in harvesting the stand.

Acreage Small

Aggregate acreage this year, however, is expected to be smaller than usual, for inclement weather last fall prevented the seeding of many fields that had been earmarked for wheat.

With the opening of the harvest season at hand, farmers are casting a critically appraising eye at the old binder, and hoping that it will last another season. New harvesting equipment has not been available, despite the fact that the war ended nearly a year ago, and farmers must depend on old machinery for their cutting operations again this season.

Many fields will be combined, with that phase of harvesting coming later, but in view of the continued shortage of farm labor, plus a shortage of binders, combining is one of the farmer's principal hopes of meeting the situation.