The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-06-17
THEY NEED RAIN.
EASTERN OREGON GRAIN FIELDG
BADLY DAMAGED BY HOT
WINDS AND WEATHER.

Fifteen Thousand Acres of Wheat
in Umatilla County Is Ruined
and Will Not Be Worth
Cutting-Yield Already
Reduced One-Fourth
Other News.
Portland, June 13.-Portland
Journal says: From a condition.,
that looked favorable for the aver
age crop throughout the Inland EN-
pire hot weather and burning-dry
north winds within three days re-
duced the possible yield by one
fourth and cheated the farmers of
at least 2,750, 600 bushels Of grain.
Reports reaching Portland now
indicate that unless weather condi-e
tions are particularly favorable
during the remainder of the pres
ent month and the early weeks of
July, much greater loss will result.
Between 100000 and 12,000,0 ,000
bushels of wheat and barley is am.
average crop for Walla Wall&
and Columbia counties, Wash, and
Umatilla county, Ore, and two
weeks ago everything pointed to-,
this figure being realized. Then
came hot weather and dry Winds
and hopes were blasted.
Private advices received from the
headquarters of the Washington &c
Columbia River Railway at Walla
Walla, are to the effect that moth
ing like definite figures can as yet
be obtained regarding the probable
yield, butt is known that loss of
at least 25 per cent. has already
been sustained.
From Pendleton. comes the report
that in Umatilla county alone there
are Il, 900 acres of grain from which
the sap of life has been licked by
the dry winds, leaving it a total
loss. 1t is not probable that any
attempt will be made to harvest
this grain at all, the dwarfed and
roasted remnants of what were
once promising grain fields being
burned with the stubble in the fall.
There are many farms on the Wash
ington side of the line which have
been similarly served, butestimates
cannot be made with accuracy as
to the percentage that can be saw
ed.
After loss of 25 per cent, grain
experts claim the farmers of the In
land Empire districts could realize
profit on their years outlay, but
prices would have to be right and
harvesting expenses light. What
the future has in store in this re-
gard remains to be seen.
The wonderful recuperative pow-s
ers of the Northwest soil and vege-
tation nourished by it are we'll
known and it is hoped that exactly
beneficial weather conditions dur
ing the next few weeks will change
the complexion of affairs and build
up the yield rather than further re-
duce it.
Rain is needed, and needed bad-
ly in every inland district. Should
this rain come in the proper meas-~
ure and be interspersed with bright
sunshine of the kind that invigor-
ates but does not burn, and should
the winds remain away it is admit
ted there is still possibility that
the wheat and crops may not end
so badly as it now looks. But to
prevent further loss everything
must work together in exactly the
proper proportion to effect an all
most miraculous change.
Oregon City, Or, June 13.--
While Intoxicated, Dan Beer, Of
Silverton, walked off the bluff at
the foot of Fifth street this after.
noon and fell to the railroad track
below, distance of 80 feet, and es-
capped uninjured. That the man es-
capped with his life is miraculous,
for the bluff at the scene of the
mishap is almost precipitous and
is of rocky formation.
In falling Beer collided with
clump Of Willows, that arrested his
fall, or he would surely have been
dashed to death on the railroad
track. Beer has for number of
years been employed on the river
steamers on the Willamette and
came to this city this morning from
Portland.
'We don't make the cheapest wagon;-
we do make the best" This is what the