The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-05-20
FARM AND GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO AeRI-
CuLTuRlsTs.
Some Up-to-Dats Hints About Guilt
walton of the Soil and Yields
Observation-Disclosures vIticuIturs and
Horticulture.
Crop and weather condl4.on,.

December in Kentucky, according to
weather bureau reports, was not very
favorable for wheat, but it was pro-
tected by snow during the period of
extreme cold from the 18th to the 22d.
IL is small and thin and does not look
very promising. Fruit trees appar-
emily were not injured by the cold
weather. Stock generally is in fair
condition, but there has been some
loss OF cattle in stalk fields.
The weather bureau review of
weather and crops of 1901 in the
Maryland and Delaware section states
that December weather was general
ly satisfactory, though some injury
was wrought by the cold wave that
prevailed from the 14th to the 18th.
At the beginning Of the present year
grain and grasses were promising in
tnelr appearance and outlook. OF
crops the report says: A careful sum-
mary OF crop results, based on more
imam one hundred special reports,
shows that wheat was below an aver
age yield, and only fair In quality
aye was short in amount, but the
pallty was fair to good. Oats were
poor crop, and of inferior grade
The early cuttings of hay were short,
out the late was better; the entire
crop was somewhat below average
yield, but the quality fair to good.
Corn was a magnificent crop; there
were very few reports of inferior
grade, and these were from some Of
the more southern localities, where, in
Few instances, the yields were also a
little below the average. A few ap-
pie orchards gave fair yields, but the
crop as a whole was very disappoint-
Ing, and many complaints of knotty
and otherwise imperfect fruit were re-
ceived. Peaches were variable in
quality and yield; the yield was gen
orally poor to average, but the grade
on the whole was fair. The season
was very favorable for tobacco; there
were no deficient yields, and the ell
tire crop was secured in excellent con-
dition.
pennsylvania reports state that
when December closed very little snow
remained on the ground except in the
northeastern section. Grain was in
suff1ciently protected and suffered con-
siderable damage from foods and
washouts.
FLORIDA pineapples, where unpro-
tected during the severe weather of
December, show bad effects of frost
No qorioua dapoon hoFoIl A. o,.-... -.
the lower southeast coast In central
portions the plants were well protect
ed as rule and are now in good con-
dition.
The California hop crop is being
marketed and the latest quotation
from Sutler county growers was SA
cents per pound. Olive growers are
also harvesting their crops. The trees
are loaded and the acreage is large.
Growers who sell from the trees have
heretofore usually disposed of their
product for $50 per ton, OF 8 cents per
pound. The crop this year is more
than double the usual yield, and olives
now being only $40 per ton as they
come from the tree, and half of that
goes to the pickers, leaving the grow
ers but $40 per ton. Recent weather
conditions have not been very favor
able. Cold, foggy weather, with fire.
quent frosts, has prevailed in northern
California. and abnormally high tenn
peratures and drying winds in the
southern part. Rain is much needed
particularly for late-sown grain, for
which the outlook in southern dis
tricts is not good. In many places
green feed is drying up. Flowing and
seeding are making good progress.
Orchards and vineyards are in good
condition, and large shipments of
oranges are being made. Irrigation
water is plentiful