The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-09
CONDITION OF CROPS.
rrosss OF March and April Make n
Backward Season.

Inc weather and crop review OF the de-
partment OF agriculture for this state NV
George n. Salisbury, director. has s,st
teeh issued. The frosts during March AMI
Aprn nave made backward season, ani
w'ier wFeat is reported to b. much in
j1red by the freezing. a ad fruits have also
been damaged. The report follows:
me week ending April was not favor
apie TO the general growth of crops, on ac-
count OF Its frosty nature. The winter
having been an open one, with abundant
moisture, the soil was in good condition
Tor farm work and early growth. The Sc
we're cold weather of the first three DAYS
of March, however, and the frosts AT The
close OF March and opening of April have
made the season backward, and naturally
checked growth. The season Is about
three weeks late. Showers have occurred
during the past week. but no such heavy
rain as to interfere with spring blowing
seeding and planting. The spring seeding
Is progressing satisfactorily Ranchers are
generally behind with their planting: il has
been too cold for much garden work.
winter wheat has undoubtedly been
much injured by the freezing in March,
and fruits which were early enough in
blossom have apparently been damaged
by the frosts OF the past week, although
1t is too early to be able to Judge TO what
extent Plums and peaches have been in
well advanced. Grass. although not yet very
high. is thriving. and pastures are begin
ming to be good.
In the western section February was a
beautiful open month, and the spring would
have been early but for the cold, freezing
days OF March, which set everything back
April opened with frosty nights The past
week has been one OF much sunshine, and
some nice showers. but severe frosts almost
every night
"A report from Puyallup says the week
has been disastrous to early fruits and
vegetables. Seeding is well advanced In
the vicinity OF Shelton. Mason county,
cherries are tn bloom. and gardening has
commenced near Kalama Cowl.tz county
Grain is reported to be In first-class condI-
ton. Grass is growing nicely, and past.
ures are In good shape.
IN Skagit county farmers are nearly
through blowing. and some have started
seeding. The ground is in fine condition
Fears are entertained as to the effect of the
frosts on the fruit blossoms.
"In Lewis county seeding Is progressing.
Grain that is out OF the ground looks fairly
well In the vicinity OF Lebam. Pacific
county, most Of the grain is planted, and
coming up nicely. On the whole. the ma
iority OF reports are hopeful, though not
juhilant.
Tn the eastern section most of the re-
ports received agree that in the wheat dis
tricts the severe weather Of March froze
out a great deal OF fall wheat. This Is true
Of Adams. Spokane, KiIckitat. Columbia
and Yakima counties Whitman county
has not been heard from. In the counties
mentioned much OF the fall wheat had to
be resown.
The weather of the past week has been
dry and frosty. and not. az a rule. bene-
fetal to crops. Early fruit has been In
iured and II has been too cold for garden
work. Thus FAR the season has not been
generally favorable. Spring sowing is well
advanced. and considerable has come up
In the vicinity OF Waila Waila fail-sown
wheat Is reported "a in good condition.
THE weather has been favorable. The
early varieties OF fruit were killed on
March .. The later varieties are doing
we'll Reports from different parts of
Stevens county Indicate that the winter
was A very open one in that section. Win
ter wheat was damaged In exposed places.
Spring seeding Is in various stages; some
have finished, others have just commenced.
In Klickitat county faii-sown grain looks
well. and spring-sown is progressing put
slowly. owing TO too much rain OF late