The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-03-31
Weather BulletIn.

Winter, so called, is yet with us. The
temperature varies rom S5 to 60 degrees, bu
the weather is cloudy and the rains are
frequent, though not heavy.
Throughout the state the temperature is
from two to five degrees a day below the
normal, and The rainfall is deficient for the
period from July last to date from 10 to so
per cent The winter was devoid Of any
marked low temperatures; about January
lst the lowest temperatures were recorded
in the mountains and higher elevations of
Eastern Oregon it was from to q degrees
below zero West Of the Cascades it was
from 8 to 20 degrees above zero. The
marked feature Of the winter was the heavy
snowfall. especially West of the Cascades
from December 20 to the rs, and from Jan.
q, to February 8. The snowfall in sections
was unprecedented. Over the wheat area
Of the state the snow fell and formed a
covering for the fall-sown wheat, during
the period Of the extreme cold.
The snow was generally lighter over the
stock county, and reports indicate the
stock to be in good condition and that there
has been very small percentage lost. More
were lost by being killed by coyotes and wild
cats than those that died from the lack Of
food and shelter.
The acreage Of wheat has generally in.
creased, in some counties to large extent.
The amount Of wheat seeded or that will
be, will make an acreage larger, even, than
the immense acreage of 1891, when 1t was
635,000 acres, from which fourteen million
bushels OF wheat were harvested.
The winter and first month OF spring,
taken as whole, have been decidedly
cooler than usual, with efficiency Of pre-
cipitation; these conditions have materi-
ally retarded the advancement Of vegeta-
ton and also retarded the sowing of spring
| grain.
PRESENT CONDITIONS.
Reports from all parts Of the state show
that there is not even an almond tree in
bloom yet. In 1889 on March 22nd, the
peach, almond, cherry, apple and plum
trees were in full bloom; III 1890 the fruit
trees were in bloom on April 2nd; in 1891
the buds were backward, but on March 2S,
many fruit trees were in bloom and 1892
on April 2, the fruit trees can be said to
have been in bloom. Pruning OF fruit trees
| is about done, but few orchards, if any,
have been so far cultivated. The buds are
swelling now and In few sections color
can be seen on the ends. Present conditions
and indications point TO most favorable
fruit year. The acreage Of fruit has been
greatly increased, this is especially true Of
peach, prune, pear and apple trees Spray
ing has been commenced in Jackson coun-
ty.
Very little plowing has been done SO far
this spring. The soil is very wet and quite
cold. The rains considerably delay spring
work.
The principal increase in this years
growth will be wheat, fruit and hops; the
latter appears to be very generally
increased. Reports all indicate unusual
activity in agricultural and horticultural
operations, and both start out under the
most favorable auspices for successful
year, The cold, damp season retarding
bloom as it is, will materially assist the
fruit production Of the year; it prevents
growth to grain, but allows Of its stooling
and roofing.
While the present looks favorable for a
successful year, it should be borne in mind
that in. years past, April frosts have injured
and few days dry, hot winds in June have
cut the expected yield in wheat from 80 to
10 bushels per acre.