Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-05-29
WEEKLY CROP BULLETIN.

The Weather Bureau service sta
ton at Seattle has sent out the fol-
lowing review for the week ending on
the Goth inst:
Nearly all reports, from both east
and west OF the mountains, agree in
pronouncing the week by far the best
OF any yet this season, both as to
character OF the weather, and its effect
upon the growth OF crops.
The temperature has at last risen
very nearly to the normal, and with
several days without rain the soil has
had some chance to dry out, and
planters have been given an opportun-
ity to finish their work. On low
ground, however, it is still very wet,
the roads are in bad condition, and
there is still much to be done in the
way OF planting. Among the inhabi.
tants OF the river bottoms fears are en-
tertained OF floods, as soon as the in
creasing warmth shall melt the snow
in the mountains. In Skagit county
much work has been done upon the
dykes, strengthening them. Grasses,
such as clover, timothy, and alfalfa,
have grown rapidly, and wheat has
made the most progress of any week
yet this season. Vegetables have at
last begun to grow. The strawberry
crop is in various stages from blossom
ing to ripening. 1t becomes more
and more certain from day to day that
fruits, such as plums, prunes, pears
and peaches, were very much injured
by the protracted cold rains.
WESTERN SECTION.
Farmers were greatly encouraged by
four days of warm, sunny weather,
from the 18th to the 22nd, during
which vegetation at last took de.
cided start, and much farm work was
accomplished. The 21st was the
warmest day yet this season; it was
almost O summer day. On the night
OF the 22nd and morning of 23d
heavy showers occurred, accompanied
in some instances by thunder, and
cooler weather followed. Advantage
was taken of the warm days, and the
drying out OF the soil, to plant pota-
toes and other vegetables. As a rule
potato planting is now mostly finished.
In Clallam county crops have grown
nicely and apples are in full bloom.
In San Juan and Island counties the
week has been fine one, and or.
chards are in full bloom; plums have
been killed, but apples look we'll.
In WhAtcom county fruit trees have
bloomed during The late, cold, rainy
weather, are shedding their fruit
from want OF fertilization. In Snoho-
mish county higher temperature and
sunshine has done much for the
farmer. In King county it has en-
abled farmers to do much toward fin.
ishing planting. In Kitsap county an
improvement is noted in the warmth
and sunshine. AS q rule, reporters
throughout the western section report
an improved condition.
EASTERN SECTION.
There were a few showers during
the week, but they were lighter than
previously. Wheat has taken quite a |
start with the advent OF sunshine.
Many believe that the cold, rainy
weather the past few weeks was ben
eficial to grain, causing it to stool out
stronger, and the roots to reach down
deep. In the Yakima country the
past week is reported as the best grow
ing one OF the season. In KlicLitat
farmers have been planting
corn. In Douglas county grain has
made good growth and it stooling out
we'll. In Adams county it has been
splendid growing weather for all crops.
Nine reports from Spokane county are
all favorable. In Columbia county
the warm showers of the past week
have been very beneficial to growing
crops; grain OF all kinds looks fine. |
Six reports from Whitman county
note improved weather conditions and |
increased growth in crops; orchards
are in full bloom. In Walla Walla
county wheat and all vegetation have
made good progress. In Garfield
county crops seem to be growing ex-
eellently, and in Asotin county the
days have become warmer, and all |
kinds OF crops have taken a start.