The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1918-07-18
HAY CROP WEAK, SAYS L. 5.
OFFICIAL REPORT FOR STATE

The Official crop report for the
State of Washington, issued by the
United States Department of Agric-
ulture. indicates thai Lynden farm
ers who will have to buy Eastern
Washington hay, will have to pay a
stiff price for it.
The following is the report:
Lack of precipitation and unfa-
vorable growing weather have caused
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.
The gen eral tendency towards q
greater production of Ill foodstuffs
has had considerable influence in in
ereasing corn acreage, especially
and the acreage in the state as a
whole is larger than last year. An
abnormally warm June has been ben
eficial to corn growth in irrigated
areas, but lack of rainfall has proven
detrimental in non-irrigated sections.
Unusually high temperatures and
lack of PRECIPITATION have resulted in
serious damage to fall wheat, espe-
eially throughout the more advanced
districts. where the heads are badly
burned and only partially filled. La
ter sections throughout the Palouse
counties were greatly benefited by a
belated rain, followed by cooler wea-
ther. but portions of the fields are
spotted and more weedy than usual
due to improper termination on ac-
count of an unusually dry fall.
Above normal temperatures and
lack of rainfall have caused prema-
ture heading of spring wheat on very
short straw, which damage was ex-
tremely severe in Walla Walla, por-
tions of adjacent counties, and earl
Ser sections of the Big Bend counties.
Wire worms and aphides have
wrought considerable injury thru
out the Palouse and Big Bend coun-
ties. resulting in a thin stand OF
spring wheat in many fields. Late
areas in sections of the Big Bend and
Palouse counties were greatly ben
Gifted by recent rains and cool grow
/ ing weather. However, on account
of previous adverse weather condi-
tons and insect. damage. the condi-
ton of spring wheat is considerably
more unfavorable even in these sec
tions than in normal years. In spite
of the severe climatic and insect dam
age, both spring and winter wheat
will probably yield better than gen
cal pessimistic estimates, if no ad
ditional injury occurs from hot winds
in the later sections of The state.
The month was unusually dry il
the large oat producing section, Ska
git County, and in smaller oat coun
ties west of the Cascades, causing
deterioration in condition. Many
sections of the Palouse counties were
benefited by rain but the earlier lacl
of precipitation and subsequent ho
weather caused considerable injury
Insect damage is. very severe II
the oat producing areas of the Pa
louise, Ferry and Stevens counties.
Hot weather caused a premature
heading on short straw, which, aidet
by severe insect damage, will caus'
an extremely short barley crop. Som
of the fields throughout Walla Walla
Garfield and Whitman counties hav
peen plowed up and Will be resowl
to fall wheat.
There has been a decrease of tn
abnormally large potato acreage
planted last yea on accoun. OF. un
satisfactory prices. However. the de
sire to break even has produced
larger acreage thcn was generally an
ticipated in preliminary estimates
Condition of potatoes, generally ia
vorable. Non-irrigatcd potatoes, how
ever. are in need of Immediate rains
The potato. beetle is also causing
great deal of damage in local areas