The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1918-07-11
WHEAT CROP Is
40 MILLION SHORT
Governments July Estimates
Show Big Deterioration in
Month of June

~ ICQuCGAOu VI 3O,OVOSOoO buoAASAo
in the prospective wheat harvest was
shown in the department of agricul-
lures July forecast, which is S91,-
100000 bushels, compared with 931,-
1000 bushels forecast in June. De-
terioration during June reduced the
prospective winter wheat crop by 3d.
100000 bushels and the spring wheat
crop by 100000 bushels.
The corn harvest promises to be
the largest on record, with total OF
16O,OO0,OOO bushels, as forecast for
the first time this season by the gov
eminent. The acreage is almost 5
per cent smaller than planted last
year, the total being 1885, 900 acres.
Edwin T. Marchetti, field agent for
the state Of Washington, in his July
report estimates the states production
of wheat at 1882, 900 bushels and the
spring wheat at 27,7s9,OOO bushels.
The totals for last year were 1885,
900 winter and 1s,360,000 spring
wheat. This years corn crop is esti-
mated as slightly less than that Of
last year.
Mr.. Marchetti accompanies his re-
port with the following review Of the
crop conditions in the state:
Corn The general tendency toward
a greater production of all foods has
had considerable influence in increas-
ing corn acreage, especially turnout
the irrigated sections, and the acreage
in the state as whole is larger than
last year. An abnormally warm June
has been beneficial to corn growth in
irrigated areas, but lack of rainfall
has proven detrimental in non-irri-
gated sections.
Winter wheat Unusually high tenn
peratures and lack of precipitation
have resulted in serious damage to-
fall wheat, especially thruout the adj
vanced districts, where the heads are
badly burned and only partially filled.
Later sections turnout the Palouse
counties were greatly benefited by a
belated rain, followed by cooler wea-
Their, but portions of the fields are
spotted and are more weedy than us
ual, due to improper termination on
account of an unusually dry fall.
Spring wheat-Above normal tenn
peratures and lack of rainfall have
caused premature heading of spring
wheat on very short straw, which
damage was extremely severe In Wal
Ia Walla and portions of adjacent
counties and the earlier sections Of
the Big Bend counties. Wire worms
and aphides have wrought considerable
injury thruout the Palouse and Big
Bend counties, resulting In thin
stand Of spring wheat in many fields.
Late areas in sections of the Big Bend
and Palouse were greatly benefited
by recent rains and cool growing wea-
Their. However, on account Of pre-
vious adverse weather conditions and
insect damage, the condition of spring
wheat is considerably more unfavor-
able even in these section than in nor
NAL years. In spite Of the severe Gle
matte and insect damage, both spring
and winter wheat will probably yield
better than general pessimistic esti-
mates, if no additional injury occurs
from hot winds in the later sections
of the state.
Potatoes-There has been decrease
of the abnormally large potato acre
age planted last year on account Of
unsatisfactory prices. However, the
desire to break even has produced a
larger acreage than was generally an
ticipated in preliminary estimates.
Condition of~potatoes, generally fav-
orable. Non-irrigated potatoes, how
ever, are in need of immediate rains.
The potato beetle is also causing a
great deal Of damage in local areas.
Hay-Lack of precipitation and un-
favorable growing weather have caus-
ed an unusually light cut of first crop
alfalfa and clover and will reduce the
timothy crop materially. Present
weather conditions are favorable for
the second cutting of irrigated alfal-
ia, but the crop is much more weedy
than usual.
General-Insect and worm damage,
which has been the severest in years,
has caused considerable injury to veg
etables and frosts have severely in
jured fruits.
ANY restitution that Germany Of
forc, 70 4.