2-1 



of the greater dampness of the atmosphere and the smaller size of the 

 farms combined harvester-threshers are not used, but self-binders 

 instead. There is great need of early maturing varieties, as the cool 

 autumn weather begins so early. The nitrogen content of the grain 

 is exceedingly small. 



In eastern Oregon climatic and other conditions are quite diflerent 

 from those west of the Cascades, and a description of that section is 

 more properly included in the discussion of the Palouse country. 



In western Washington the general conditions and the cjuality of the 

 wheat are very similar to those of western Oregon, but in southeastern 

 Washington and adjacent portions of Idaho and Oregon is a large sec- 

 tion known as the Palouse country, which possesses peculiarities of soil 

 and climate that are distinctively characteristic and radically different 

 from those of the Pacific Coast region proper. Strictly speaking, the 

 Palouse country is con.'5idered to be rather limited in extent, compris- 

 ing approximately Latah County, Idaho, and Whitman Count}-, and 

 very small adjoining portions of Adams and Franklin counties, in Wash- 

 ington. Recently, however, the term has come to be applied practically 

 to nearly all of these last-named counties, as well as to Garfield, Colum- 

 bia, and Walla Walla counties (Plate V), and may even include the 

 northern portion of Umatilla County, Oreg. The two features which 

 most distinguish this region from the Pacific Coast proper are the dry- 

 ness of the climate and very finely divided condition of the soil. The 

 particles are so very tine that when dry the soil is practicall}^ mere 

 dust. On windy daj's this dust fills the air, forming vast clouds that are 

 very disagreeable to the traveler. At the same time, with very little 

 rain the soil becomes quite sticky and diflicult to manage. The capacity 

 of the soil to al)Sorb and retain moisture is remarkable. It is pretty 

 generall3Mjelieyed that a rainfall of 12 inches in this district is sufficient 

 to make a crop of wheat, while in the States of the Plains 18 inches is 

 considered to be rather low for successful wheat growing. Wheat is 

 the chief crop of the region, though barley and oats are grown to some 

 extent. The principal wheat varieties (except Palouse Blue Stem) are 

 of the cluli-wheat group. They are usually soft grained and starchy, 

 and generally white, similar to those of the coast region, but a little 

 better in qualit}. The three standard varieties commonly grown are 

 Palouse Blue Stem. Palouse Red Chaff', and Little Club. As regards 

 the comparative distribution of these varieties, if the region be con- 

 sidered as divided into three parallel north and south belts, it will be 

 found that Palouse Blue Stem prevails in the western belt, extending 

 as far westward as North Yakima; Palouse Red Chaff' in the middle 

 belt, passing through the heart of the region, and Little Club in the 

 eastern belt, reaching the foothills of the mountains. 



The most serious obstacle to successful wheat culture in the Palouse 

 country is the annually recurring drought which occurs about two 

 weeks before harvest time, particularly in the western and southern 



