Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-05-26

The Crops.
We have devoted some attention
to investigating the present condi-
tion of the crops in Los Angeles
county. First, we have ascer!ained,
and it is q most graft flying eircum-
stance, that the VIII eat crop of the
San Fernando valley is in most
capital trim. This comprises some
fifteen or eighteen thousand acres.
There is absolutely no lodgment of
wheat there. The kernels are fill.
ing out finely and the result can
hardly fail to realize the anticipa.
tions of the farmers. The fact is
that we have nowhere heard of any
injury to the wheat crop. There
have been rumors of disaster, but
they have been rumors merely and
inquiry has failed to confirm them.
Coming down to the barley crop,
1t is an undoubted fact that much
mischief has resulted from the May
rains. A good deal Of barley has
''lodged.n Not only that, but,
owing to the superabundance of
moisture, many of the stalks have
broken, have fallen over and the
grain has failed to fill out. From
Mr.. Ivar A. Weld, an experienced
farmer, who has travelled exten.
sively oyer Los Angeles county in
his capacity of United States
Gauger, we learn that, counting all
drawbacks, there will be loss of
one-third ofthe barley crop of this
county. Mr.. Weld has had a
thorough insight into farming in
Los Angeles county, and he has no
hesitation in saying that, as far as
the barley crop is concerned, twelve
inches of rainfall are preferable to
the nearly twenty.four inches we
have had thus far this season.
Some days ago we stated that
Mr.. f. J. Baldwin, on his Santa
Anita ranch, had expected crop Of
ii2 1876 5,G69 sacks of grain, and would
only harvest $4,000. Mr.. Weld
has lately visited the Santa Anita
and gives it as his Judgment, as a
farmer, that Mr.. Baldwin will only
lose one-third OF his crop.
In estimating the barley crop of
thisyear it should be borne in mind
that an unprecedented area has
been sown in barley. Accepting
Mr.. Yields judgment that the loss
from excess of rain will be fully
one.third, it is reasonable to as
sumo that, vertheless, the crop
of barley of this year will be fully
fifty per cent. larger than in any
previous year. Mr.. Weld himself,
with twelve inch rainfall, would
have had six thousand sacks of
barley. He estimates that, with
the twenty-three inches and a frac.
ton which We have had, according
to the United States Signal Ser
vice, he will garner four thousand
sacks. He bases this return on the
employment of differs" in head
ing his barley. He will set the
"headers" to work next week.
1t must, of course, be borne in
mind that the wheat and corn crops
are the principal reliance for a
money return to the farmers of Los
Angeles county. The wheat crop,
as we have SAID, never promised
better. Owing to the abundant
rains, the corn crop of the present
year will be Unprecedented in VOL
ume. Corn will be raised not only
on the bottom lands but on the
mesas. A million and a half bush.
els is low estimate. Two millions
Wouiu really better approximate to
the result. Our wool, wines,
brandies, oranges and lemons, with
our wheat and corn, are our princi-
pal reliance for money. Barley is
largely a local crop, unless the
abundant yield of this year, not
withstanding the dra ybacks we
have named, Should lead to its ex-
portation. Throwing barley and
the spontaneous and cultivated
grasses out, and rejecting the hogs,
butter, honey and cheese which
will, this year, be of unusual guam
tity and value, we think we see
$4,000, 900, in solid coin, ahead for
the farmers and pomologists of Los
Angeles county this year.