The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1893-11-10
Crops of 1898.

The following sections are taken
from State Weather Observer Alicia
torres Report for the year, recently
published.
The rainfall was excessive in nil sec
tons WAS during March, April, May,
June and October, and the temperature
for each month colder than usual over
the entire state The season has been
almost entirely free from hot burning
winds, that occasionally prevail in the
eastern portion of the state during Au-
gust, the only very warm spell being
that from July % to August 5, during
which the thermometer in some OF the
eastern counties rose to 1O2 degrees on
several days. The injury resulting to
crops from this warm weather was In
significant and altogether restricted to
only q small area.
WHEAT.
The wheat crop was pronounced the
largest grown in many years, but alas,
the unfortunate farmers whose hopes
hinged on the success of their one crop
alone, were doomed to disappointment,
for on September %, a rainy spell, the
like OF which had never been heard OF
within the memory of the Oldest inhabi-
tant set in and lasted till October II.
The season being very late Thousands OF
acres OF standing wheat in Whitman,
Stevens, Lincoln, Spokane and Douglas
counties were knocked down and great
ly injured while acres upon acres OF
grain in stack were completely ruined.
The loss in these counties from this
unprecedented and unusual downpour
of rain has been variou,ly estimated at
from 100000 to 100000 to bushels.
THE FRUIT CROP.
Fruit growers interested in small
berries have every reason to feel salts
fied with this years crop, which Was
immense in almost every county in the
state The strawberry crop was partic-
ularly abundant in Clarke county.
Washington bids fair to rival the gold
Ell state in the matter of successful
fruit raising. Melons. prunes and
plum were a fair crop. but cherries
and apples were seriously injured by
The cold showers of early spring and
by the lack of sunshine following.
Insects in large numbers have made
their appearance in the orchards OF
this state this year, but so far have
been kept in check by careful spraying,
as recommended by the state fruit in
spector. Clarke county fruit raisers
l,,,o ,,oJo :, rooorJ The coocop Tons
OF the Italian variety of prunes were
successfully dried in the different
dryers in that county during the
season.
THE HOP CROP.
This years hop crop has been up to
the average both in quantity and quail
ity Owing to the lateness of the sea-
son, picking began from one to three
weeks later than last year. This Was
rather an advantage though, because
when they were picked there were less
mould and the vines better matnred.
In some parts tributary to the Puyallup
hop growing country, this years crops
yielded almost twice is much as last
year. This is attributed to the fact that
last year the vines were not cut as had
been the custom heretofore. but the
poles were cut down to within seven
feet of the ground and the vines trained
on Irvine mature more solidly and
weigh more than those trained in the
old way. Washington hops are at
tracing considerably attention in Eu-
rope and are pronounced by connois-
seurs to be far superior to any grown
in England. The average yield of
Washington hops too, is generally
higher by 100 or 900 pounds to the
acre tina those raised in other parts
OF the world.