Our fair Valley of the Pecan has certainly been blessed with copious qantities of precious precipitation over the past couple of weeks. Both our measuring devices, the Onliwon & Daddy’s, registered anywhere from 5" in one, up to around 6" in the other. I heard reports from around the County all the way from around 2 ½" up to a bit over Six. Whatever the amount, it was extremely welcome. The recent rains came at a very opportune time, as several of the Pecan producers were beginning to irrigate the orchards and bottoms. The Rivers were getting fairly sluggish, as well as a bit mucky, and the pastures & fields were beginning to scorch. Shaw & I traverse certain segments of the County ever few days or so and remark as to how a good rain can make so much difference in the condition of the rangeland, pastures, and crops in such a short time. The Coastal fields around China Creek, by upper Buzzard Creek, on through the Bethel, back down the Cotton Belt and through Algerita on into Harkeyville looked something like a pastoral portrait of Ireland. It even rained enough to sprout the wheat scattered through the fields during combining. Another benefit of the period of precipitation was the cooling effect on the recent run of hot weather we’d been having. Looking at the May-June electric bills was enough of a shock to really welcome the cooler days, not to mention how it had been affecting those of us that have to spend a good period of the day with outdoor activity. I don’t recall ever seeing a rain I didn’t like. Speaking of the Pecan orchards and bottoms, one might imagine that enough continual wetting hours were incurred to warrant keeping a wary eye out on leaves and nutlets for Pecan Scab. If you are beginning to scout for scab, it’s sometimes easier to start with more susceptible varieties such as Burkett or Wichita. Actually, most of the Extension experts advise putting on a fungicide application as soon after an extended wet period as soon as it dries enough to get the sprayers into the orchard. Being as the rain started over the 4th of July weekend, it made it pretty hard to get going right after the Holiday. Some of the orchards are still muddy enough to bog machinery. Aggie buddy, Tony Avarra, was in Town this past weekend taking some time to sort of get things straightened up around his bungalow next door to Lady Z’s house. He was in only parts of Sat. & Sunday, but had time to go to the River with Shaw & me to help us haul a nice Yellowcat up the bank. The rains had kept the banks and bottom so muddy that we had not been able to get to the lines for three days. Anyhow, with a lot of slipping, sliding, holding on to weeds & limbs, we finally got the fish off the line & lugged it up to the pickup. Shaw & I guessed his weight about 10 lbs. over his actual weigh-in, but he had a big ol’ head, as well as having been hooked on the line for three days. Tony won the weight guessing as he took the "under" instead of over our guesses. The big Yellow tipped the scales at 37 lbs, so I’d guess we were still pretty happy. Shaw’s Grand son, Cameron, helped him bait the lines out the night they actually caught the fish, but had already gone back to Austin and couldn’t be on hand for the hauling in. By the time you get the "News" the annual Texas State Pecan Show and Grower’s Convention down at San Marcos will about be over with. I usually enjoy going to the State Show and Convention to view all the entries at the State Show and see how the San Saba growers fare in the Show. It’s always a treat to visit with all the Growers, Extension Agents and Specialists, as well as the exhibitors that we have been associated with over the past forty some-odd years in the business. I guess we’ll have to give the Mayor a call and see how it all turned out somewhere out around—————––––––––––

Harkeyville!!!!!!!!!!!!!!