The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-22
SMOKE AND DROUTH PREV ALL.

They Damage Western Washington
Crops-Eastern Grain Yield Good.
The weekly weather crop bulletin of
the state weather service for the week
ending August H. issued by Director
George n. Salisbury. is as follows:
Western Section.
The weather of the past week has been
a continuance OF the drouth and smoke of
the previous one, although 1t was some
what cooler. In the coast region the
smoky atmosphere was rendered yet more
dense by fogs in the morning, such as
usually occur at this time OF year. The
stagnant and densely smoky atmosphere
has been very oppressive, and has not
been beneficial TO vegetation as a gen.
eral thing. This has been the sixth week
Of drouth and the fourth one of smoke in
tho western section. The following sum-
maries will give n general idea of the ef-
feet upon crops. 1t is regretted that there
is not space to publish in full the excel
lent and comprehensive reports that have
been received:
Clarke county-Hot. dry and smoky.
Grain mostly cut and in the stack. Po-
tatoes Injured by the dry weather. The
small amount of corn that is raised in
gardens is very poor. Prunes excellent.
and crop large. Apples not so good in
soma sections.
Cowlitz county-Hops doing fairly WELL
the aphs being kent under control by
spraying. Picking will commence In about
three weeks.
Lewis county-Harvest about over, with
good yield The potato crop will be light
Hops promise to be fair, considering the
lice.
Pacific county-Cold nights: frost night
Of 18th, damaging vines. etc. In all low
places. Hops seem 20 he i'm fine condition
and almost free from lice. Although IL
has been so warm, dry and smokN the
corn and hop crops do not seem 10 have
been affected. Potatoes. however, are a
failure in some localities
Thurston county-Potatoes will be a
short crop. except late planted ones Fruit
is dropping and retarded by the smoke;
damage from fires light.
Mason county-Pastures drying IN, ex-
cept on low bottoms. Potatoes will he
about half crop on the best land. Plums
are beautiful and OF excellent quality.
Pierce county-Rut little corn is raised
here. Most everybody cultivating a gar
den raised small quantity for use In its
green state. II is a success as a garden
vegetable when well cared for. Hops are
suffering fer want OF rain. and the crop
II is said. win not be an average one.
King cOunty-outlook for hops decidedly
discoIraging. and unless rain comes soon
many yards will not he worth picking
Plums. prunes and fall apples are getting
ripe.
Snohomish county-H0ps doing fairly
well. Garden vegetables suffering for
rain. In Marysville section oat harvest in
fun blast.
Skagit couuty-The main crop oats. will
be light. on account of dry weather. Prob
ably averaging eighty bushels TO the acre,
and harvest will he late Potatoes will ne
A small crop. Hops are in bad condition,
the prevailing low prices having discour-
AGED farmers from giving them proper
care.
Island county-Whest and cat harvest
continues. and also the drouth
Whatc0rn county-Fires are increasing
and damaging the crops. Hons will yield
well where they have been properly cared
for The discouraging prices have caused
them to be neglected in many cases. Oats,
harley and peas are splendid and heavy
crops. Late potatoes need rain.
The general impression from the above
summaries Is that the smoke and dry
spell have had an injurious effect upon
late crons, especially potatoes. The re-
marks about corn in Pierce county apply
10 Western Washington in general; corn
Ii not raised as farm product
Eastern section.
Yakima county--Nery warm and dry the
past week. corn well advanced; in some
fields past roasting ears" u will yield
about - per cent. 81 last years crop.
Hops have been damaged some by high
winds. They are pretty well advanced and
free from insects.
Kf.ckliat nty-Cirasshoppers have
caused corn to be cut in a green state. 1t
VIII make good fodder.
Skamania county-Pastures drying up.
Orchards appear 10 ne in fair condition
Piums and prunes plenty.
Columbia county-Harvest about over,
aud The yield better than expected. The
corn is poor on account OF wet spring,
dry summer cut WORMS and field mice,
Garfield counJy-ffarvest IN full blast
and grain turning cut better than expect
ea The last hot winds damaged late
sowa grain, which Is badly shrunksn IN
consequence. The potato crop VIII he
short.
whitman county-FAu so~n and early
sawn spring wheat have yielded fire.