Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1919-07-10
CROP OUTLOOK IN
IDAHO FAR FROM
ENCOURAGING; HOT
WEATHER DAMAGES
Counties in Southern Part of
State Are Short Irrigation
Water, Due to Light Shows
Farmers Break Open Canal
Headgates at Night; Steal
Flow for the Burning Grain

Dry weather, which is causing serious
loss TO crops in Idaho county, also will
materially reduce yields in other parts
of the northwest Except in the irri-
gated districts, Montana crops are
practically destroyed. The Palouse cOun-
try is suffering, and crops in the irri-
gated sections of south Idaho are men
aced by shortage of irrigation water.
1t is estimated that the shortage of
water for irrigation purposes in the
southern and eastern portions of Idaho
will result in loss of approx
matelv $4O,0O0OOO in crops unless
there is some relief and a proper ad
Indication of the available supply on
hand The shortage is due to the light
fall of snow in the Tetons and other
mountains dividing Idaho and Montana.
The water from this snow is stored in
the Jackson lake reservoir in Wyoming
and bought into Idaho via the Snake
river as it is needed. Many farmers
now find their crops are drying because
of insufficient water to irrigate them.
In some instances canal headgates have
been broken open and water stolen dur
ing the night.
A few light thundershOwers occurred
in scattered localities of the northern
counties of Idaho during last week, af-
fording slight temporary relief from the
drought that prevails throughout the
state.
Pastures and Grain Burning
Pastures and grain crops are burning
badly in the dry farm districts. Cul
tivated cops are faring better. In
those irrigated sections where water is |
still available the high temperatures
of the week were rather favorable for |
crop growth and all vegetation made |
rapid strides. Due to the pronounced |
shortage of irrigation water in the upper
and middle Snake river valleys, cOnsid-
cradle acreages of various crops are be
ing abandoned. Up TO the present time
there has been sufficient water in the
irrigated sections of the western cOun
lies of Idaho and there all crops are
IN thriving condition.
Winter wheat in the northern coun-
iles is fair to good. In the eastern
counties this crop is only poor to fair.
Hot winds prevailed during last week
IN many sections and were very dam
aging to wheat. Considerable acreages /
are being cut for hay in some localities
while in worse affected districts the
crop Is being abandoned. The first cut I
ing of alfalfa has been harvested gen t
orally IN all but the later districts and ,
where the fields have been well watered !
inc second crop is coming on rapidly. +
Open Range Dried Up
continued dry hot weather had a
most detrimental effect on pastures and
ranges which are burning badly in
many sections The open range in the
Eastern counties is about dried up, but
mere is still feed on the shaded range.
'heep are being shipped into the higher ,,
mountain ranges from less favorable !
eeNlng ground at lower levels. Streams ;
are fast drying up, causing lack of {
''ock water on some ranges. The fire
hazard in increasing daily and tourists
and campers are requested to exercise
'Afeme care in starting fires and be
sure to extinguish all embers before
eaylng camp o
Wheat in dry farming areas of the o
'outh IS practically lost. u