Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-10-27
THE YEARS CROPS.
An INTERESTING STATEMENT OF
THE STATES PRODUCTS.

THE STATES PRODUCTS.
An Unusual eu-sarmjnr npcr-
atioIs Delayed BY Rain-Hefrat
OF High i.H probation In Eastern
Washington - Favorable Season
for Barley and Eiay-IEOp> Up to
the Average Fruit Crop >atisfac-
tory The insect Pest.
1t seems that the night man has
finally assumed control OF the weather
station in t;is city. Mr.. Alciatore's
reports-e.pccially those made month
ly, from Il study OF the climatic condi-
tons OF the whole State-are OF alb
sorbing interest, and leave but little 20
ascertain for complete knowledge OF
our weather and its influence upon ma
tural products. An annual resume
has. We believe, never been ATTEMPTED
by Mr.. AS predecessors, and the one
we now give in full, will be read with
interest wherever our papor circulates.
W AsIIINGTON WEATHER SERvICE,j
OLYMPIA, Oct. 26, 1893.
In many respects the crop season OF
1888 in the State of Washington has
been n remarkable one. Owing to the
continued rainy weather during the
first three months of 1893, general
farming operations, which in this State
usually begin in March, were delayed
from two to five weeks in all counties
west OF the Cascades and in the north
eastern part of the State. At the time
plowlng and seeding were begun, the
soil was very wet soggy and cold in all
counties in the State, except in por-
tons of the southeastern counties,
where it was comparatively drv The
season opened with March tempera-
ture "a degrees colder than average,
and a rainfall which, though only .OS
inches less than the normal, gave a
much larger number of rainy days
than is usual at this time of year.
This excess of moisture was more
noticeable in the eastern portion of
the State. April was an unfavorable
month to agriculturists. Its mean
temperature was no less than Al de-
grees colder than the average; its rain
fall was remarkably heavy, being 304
inches above the normal April averages.
Flowing and seeding were consequent
ly delayed, and the growth and de-
velopment of the crops already in the
ground greatly retarded. May was
another cold rainy month, with a
mean temperature 2.S degrees colder
than usual, and a rainfall l.l9 inches
heavier than the average. The sun
shine during this and the preceding
months was wofully deficient. Cold
rains injured orchards to some extent.
June brought very little change in the
weather conditions that prevailed dur.
ing the preceding five months. The
deficiency in the temperature was 5
degrees greater than that of any other
month of the season. The rainfall
was only a little less than the average. |
On the whole, the season was not IA |
vorable to crops, and the injury to
fruit from cold showers was increased. |
July with mean temperature of is
degrees colder than the average, and a |
rainfall OF .16 of an inch less than
usual but with plenty of sunshine,
brought relief to suffering vegetation,
to fruit and vegetables, and
was generally beneficial to all crops.
August was in every respect an ideal
month for the farmers. Its temporal
ture and its rainfall were only slightly
below the average. There was a good
ly amount of sunshine, which proved
Of immense benefit to all crops. Sep
TENDER was tolerably favorable
month for the farmers. Its tempera-
lure was little below the average and
rainfall trifle above the usual
September rainfall. October was q
red-letter month. Its phenomenal
especially in Eastern Wash.
ington, and its low temperature were
exceedingly injurious to all crops.
Summarizing the above it will be
seen that the rainfall has been exces-
sive in all sections during March,
April, May, June and October, and the
for each month colder
than usual over the entire State. The
season has been almost entirely free
from hot burning winds, that occa-
prevail in the eastern portion
Of the State during August, the only
very warm spell being that from July
% to August 5, during which the Their
in some of the eastern
rose to 102 degrees on several
days. The injury resulting to crops
from this warm weather was insignifi-
cant and altogether restricted to only
a small area.
EFFECT OF WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Now, as to the effect of these wealth
er conditions on the crops OF 1898:
owing to the lateness of spring the
wheat crop, which is by far the most
grown in this State, was
not planted in Eastern Washington
north of the Snake river much before
the latter part of May, while in West
ern and Southwestern Washington it
was all sown by the middle of April.
From this time on the history of this
years wheat is truly extraordinary
one. The heavy rain and snowfall
of the winter and spring thoroughly
the soil with moisture,
which, having been retained through
out the summer, assured good yield
despite the comparatively dry summer
weather.
The weather during July and Aug
ust and greater part of September was
such that the grain sprouted, grew and
in manner that gladdened
the hearts of the Eastern Washing
ton farmers and brought a smile of
great satisfaction to the face of the
OF this State, whose pros
perity, after all, depends so much on
the results OF the labors of their agri-
fellow workers. AS early as
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
this season having been large
ly increased.
By the middle OF September, all this
had been realized and the crop was
pronounced the largest grown in this
State for many years, but alas, the un-
fortunate 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 in
habitant set in and lasted without in
terruntion till October ID The sea-