The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-22
WASHINGTON AND OREGON CROPS.
Fruit Hurt by Professionalism OF the
Grain Fields and Hop Yards.

OLYMPIA, May 21.-fSpecial. lin West
ern Washington for the week. up to the
18th inst, the rains have been heavy and
frequent, eliminating on the 10Th in
downpour over the larger portion OF this
section of the state. heavier in the north
than in the south. The nights during this
period were cool, though no frosts occurred.
Since the 18th the rains have been
lighter, ceasing on the 18th, and the days
much warmer with more sunshine, though
the nights have continued too cool for the
most rapid growth of vegetation. Upon
more thorough investigation injuries to
fruit is greater in some counties than
was at first thought. On Guemes island
not more than half crop of cherries will
be secured. In other portions of Skagit
county plums, prunes and pears were con-
siderably injured by frosts Of the I'd and Sd.
Reports from Clarke and Skamania coun-
ties also state that cherry and pear crops
will be very poor. and in Wahkiakum
county only half crop of
cherries and early pears will be
harvested. Italian prunes were also
badly injured in this county. The heavy
rains of the fore part Of the week still rem
der it impossible to work the iowlands
which the sun of the last four days has not
sufficiently dried out. On the uplands,
however, work is going on rapidly, and
farmers are taking every advantage of the
good weather to cultivate such crops as
have been necessarily neglected during the
wet weather. Hops are starting rapid
growth; reports from Kent, King county,
state that the hop louise has disappeared.
Ali CROPS are late, but with continuation
of the present weather a good yield will
be secured. The hay crops are unusually
good.
In Eastern Washington from the 18th to
the 10Th there were copious rains in this
portion of the state, but with higher
temperature than for some time past.
Heavy downpours are reported in the
southeast counties on the 14th. From
the 18th to the Goth the weather
has been much warmer and the
rains have ceased. The nights still con-
tinue cool. but are gradually becoming
warmer. Reports from all sections show a
very decided improvement in the condition
of the grain crops The wire worm had
begun to do some damage to wheat in
some localities of Spokane, Lincoln and
Kittitas counties, and to barley on the
lowlands near Colfax, Whitman
county. In none of these places
has this injury been serious
as yet, although near Colfax some barley
will have to be resown. In northern Spo-
kane county some grain in the valleys is
yellow and sickly but on plateaus
it is bright and growing we'll
In Kittitas, Yakima and Adams
counties the heavy rains have been very
acceptable. and with the rise in tenn
perature the grain is growing rapidly.
Early grain in Adams county is six
inches high. Fruit in the north
ern counties is in full bloom and
is looking very we'll. Most of the grain in
Whitman county is sown and started
growing. The heavy rains of the 14th
caused some damage in Garfield
county, washing out some grain,
but on the whole the damage is
not very serious. Some grain is reported
rotting in Columbia county. This condi-
ton is limited in area. The wet weather has
injured peach trees in Asotin and Column
bia counties to some extent, making them
lousy. In Northern Walla Walla and
Klickitat counties the rains have assured
very heavy yield of grain. wetting the
ground from several tests) to a depth of
six feet. On the whole, while the cold
wet weather has delayed the growth of
grain, 1t has not materially affected the
prospect for large crop, and with the
present amount of moisture in the ground
and fair growing weather during the COM
ing season heavy yield is assured
L. b. OLNEY,
Observer, Weather Bureau.
PORTLAND, May 2l.-The weekly report
of the Oregon weather bureau says: Hot
weather on Friday. with temperature of
from 50 to 80 degrees, scalded
the grain on the wet land and
baked the soil; otherwise the weather
is just what is needed. Spring seeding is
being pushed rapidly. Fruit that was in
jured by April frost is now falling and the
damage done is apparent. Hops are doing
well. but there is danger of the hop louise
again.
The Columbia river i $ slowly and stead
lily rising. Reports indicate large guam
tity OF snow in the mountains, and on the
upper rivers people expect very high