The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1948-07-08

Il
nation as whole are average or,
in some cases, a little better than
average. June / prospects in the
northern Atlantic and northern
central states were uniformly
good, except in Nebraska and
Kansas, which are wheat pro-
ducing areas. In the southern at
lantic states prospects were above
average, except in Georgia and
Florida. In the southern central
United States the average pro-
spects are held down by poor
to fair conditions in Oklahoma
and Texas. Out here in the west,
in spite of the late season pro-
spects are average, varying from
fair in New Mexico to very good
in Montana and the 3 north
western states.
This would indicate that with
the exception Of few special
crops there should be ample sup
plies of hay and feed grains for
livestock and a good supply of
foods for people this fall.
Many of us have adopted the
attitude that that's IS miles away
and it doesn't bother me, so why
should I be interested" Never
theless, human suffering which
effects one area will eventually
have an indirect effect on the
other.
Those who have been through
the recent flood may have diff
ficulty in securing adequate cap
ital and credit to reestablish or
rehabilitate their homes and other
buildings. Early in July the Re-
construction Finance Corporation
will have man stationed in the
County Agents office to m a k e.
loans at $50 interest where ade-
quate loans or credit cannot be
established through local sources.
The exact date Of arrival Of this
man is not known at this time.
On his arrival, publicity will be
put out and a schedule will be
published which will enable far
mers in the counties Of Yakima,
Benton and Franklin to contact
him. Listen to your radio, and
watch your daily papers for this
announcement.
I had the opportunity to visit
q few farmers where crop land
has been flooded for q period
Of 2 weeks or longer. The crops
which I have checked have been
grapes, ssparagus, mint and alt
alta. In all cases the alfalfa has
been killed. In most cases the
mint has been destroyed to the
extent that there will be no crop
IN 1948. If there is a sufficient
stand left it will be probably
spotty..
As far as asparagus is con-
cerned, It seems to be little bit
slower in coming and it may be
that some stands which look like
they have been killed may come
on later and be satisfactory to-
harvest for other years. In the
cases which I have checked, I
thing it would be advisable not to
be too hasty about blowing up
an asparagus crop. I have dug up
several roots and while the crowns
show rot, the roots are still alive
and it may be the wetness has
retarded the growth.
No doubt farmers will want to
know what to plant where the
crops have been destroyed by
water. Frankly, we are approach
ing the time when it will be inn
possible to secure a cash crop this
season. In most areas it will be
necessary to get the crop In the
ground not later than the 10th
Of July if we are to be anywhere
near certain that it will mature.
Most crops require at least 90
days in which to produce salts
factory yields. Barley is one of
the crops which might be used
ON a larger acreage. II you plan
to use barley as an emergency
crop, secure as good quality seed
as possible. The best seed is none
too good. Other crops which may
be grown are largely truck crops
such as rutabagas, late carrots for
table us, and late cabbage.
Now just q word about the
preparation Of the soil. Do not
be too anxious to get the crop in,
but prepare a good seed bed. A
few days spent in preparation OF
the seed bed is more important
than the same number Of days
lost in the time required for the
crop to mature. Flood areas are
generally pretty well packed and
on lands to which root crops are
planted, blowing to depth Of
6 inches or more should be done.
Work the soil down well and
plant the seeds in firm seed bed.
E. c. Klostermeyer from the
Irrigation Experiment Station re-
ports that hot weather appears
to be holding the aphid popu-
1ation to a constant level in the
hop yards. Enough aphids are