The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-27

cask August Was a. ideal moath Tor the
farmer September WAS tolerzbly favor
aole. but Ocfo5er. With iss phenomenal
rainfall. especially in the eastern part OF
the state, and its low temperature. has
been excesdlngiy injurious Summarizing
the above, the rainfall has been excessive
in all sections during March, April. May.
June and October 1nd the Temperature for
each month colder than usual over the
entirs stases The season has been al
most entirely free from hot. burning
winds that occasionally prevail in the
eastern portion offhe state daring August.
the only very warm spell being that from
July Is 70 August 5. during which the
Thermometer In some or the eastern
counties rose 20 iaa de<s. on several days.
The injury resulting TO crops from this
warm weather was insignificant and alto
gefner restrictei 70 only snail area
Nov. as 20 the effect OF these weather
conditions On the erops Of Isgg. Owing TO
the lateness OF spring. the wheat crop.
which IS hy far the most important grown
IN this state. vas not planted in Eastern
Warrington, north OF the Snake
May. while N Western and Southeastern
Washington is was sli sown by the middle
OF April From this time on the history
OF this years " heat Is truly extraordi-
nary one. The heavy rain and snowfall Of
the winter and spring thoroughly satu-
rated the soil with moisture, which, hav-
ing been rstained throughout the summer.
assured good Weld despite the compara-
lively dry summer weather.
The weather during July and August
and greater part of September was such
that the graia spronted, grew and -four
lshed IN = manner that gsaddened the
heart of the Eastern Washington farmer
and brought smile of great satisfac-
ton TO the face of the merchants
az this ri after al
depends so much on the results OF the
labors Of their agricultural fellow workers.
As early az June predictions were freely
made by old settlers that this seasons
wheat crop would even exceed that of the
famous blockade year of 1890. The acre
age this season having been largely in
creased.
By the middle of September all this had
been realized and the crop was pronounced
the largest ever grown in this state for
many years: but alas, the unfortunate
farmers whose hopes hinged on the sue
cess of this one crop alone were
doomed to disappointment. for on
which has never been heard of within the
memory Of the oldest inhabitant. set in
and lasted without interruption till
October IL. The season being very
late. as we have already said,
thousands of acres of standing wheat in
Whitman, Stevens, Lincoln. Spokane and
Douglas counties were knocked down and
greatly injured, while acres upon acres of
grain In stack were completely ruined.
The loss in these counties from this I'M
precedented and unusual downpour Of rain
has been variousy estimated at from
100000 to 3.00O, 90 bushels.
Sowing of barley was begun in nearly all
sections by the middle of April, though in
some counties as late as June |. The acre.
age OF this crop compared with that of last
year shows decided increase. This has
been very favorable season for barley,
the yield having been fully up to the aver
age. The harvesting of barley was well
IN hand In all counties by the end of Au-
gust.
planted in Western Washington before
May Is. and in the eastern portion of the
state a little later. The oat crop
this season has been tolerably
satisfactory one; the yield was
in most cases fully up to the average.
The acreage of this crop compared with
the preceding year shows an increase.
harvesting was begun about the middle of
August in Eastern Washington, and about
the end of the month in Western Wash
ington, the season being about two to four
weeks late.
This seasons hay crop was an excellent
one from every standpoint the quantity
as well as the quality being up to the aver
age IN all sections OF the state where the
crop is grown. The crop was housed in
good condition by the end of August in
Western Washington and about fifteen
days later in the eastern portion OF the
state.
Fruit growers interested in small berries
have every reason to feel satisfied with
this years crop, which was immense in
almost every county in the state. The
strawberry crop having been particularly
abundant in Clarke county. Washington
bids fair TO rival the Golden state
in the matter of successful fruit
raising. Melons, prunes and plums
were fair crop. but cher
injured by the cold showers of early spring
and by the lack of sunshine that followed.
insects in large numbers have made their
appearance in the orchards of this state
this year, but so far have been kent
in check by careful spraying, as recon-
mended by the state fruit inspector.
Clarke county prune raisers have made
record this season. Tons of the Italian
variety were successfully dried in the
different dryers in that county during the
season.
This years hop crop has been up to the
average both In quantity and quality
Owing TO the lateness of the season, picking
began from one to three weeks later than
though, because when they were picked
there was less mould and the vines better
matured. In some yards tributary TO the
Puyailup hop growing country this years
crop yielded almost twice as 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
twlne. This years experience has taught
our hop growers that vines trained on
Irvine mature more soIidly and weigh
more than those trained in the
Old way. Washington hops are
attracting considerable attention in
Europe. and are pronounced by con-
noisseurs TO be far superior to any grown
In England. The average yield of Wash
ington hops. too, Is generally higher by
one or two hundred pounds to the acre
than those raised in other parts of the
world.