Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-05-27
AGRICULTURAL.
HALTER PREPARED SPECIALLY PoR
THE RECORD UEIoE."
The Contention OF the winds-The Dairy
Interests-A Good Alfalfa Year
Sulphur the Grapes.

The prevailing winds of the great inland
or interior basin Of California are from the
north aud the south. 1t is very seldom wind
blows from the Sierras in westerly direc-
ton across the valleys. When this does oc-
eur it is almost always at tine when
storm has passed over the valleys from west
to east in the upper currents OF air. ana upon
reaching the Sierra range is obstructsd In Its
eastward movement and rolled beck upon the
valleys, bringing sometimes wind and RAIN,
but more frequently wind only. These east
eru winds are therefore of short duration and
come in spurts rather than in steady air pres
surss. The west winds, like those from the
east. are temporary and tickle, seldom CON
tinuing above few hours at any one time,
aud seldom recurring except at the close OF
storm, and then in the spring of the year or
at the cl Sc Of Amy season. Neither the
east nor west winds can be said to be prevail
ing winds, and neither often rise above a
temporary LEGAL breeze. Storms do not
originate with the east or west Wind, and
during the continuance of prevailing rain
storm from the south, or q prevailing wind
storm from the north, yeering OF the wind
90 the east or west is considered an
indication of break and probable weak
eninc of the storm. Indeed, from the nature
or form of the great California valley, or
basin, we cannot have prevailing or sustained
east or west winds across the country. The
distance from one chain OF mountains to the
other, between which this valley lies. and the
uubroken nature Of both chains OF mountains,
are perpetual obstacles to such winds. From
the natural formation of the country it fol-
lows that our strong and prevailing winds
must come from the north or the south.
From this same form alton il also follows that
we cannot have those tremendous and de-
structiye hurricanes OF tornsdoes that are OF
go frequent occurrence on the east OF the
Rocky mountains. the ocean which borders
our coast has no disturbing cause like that Of
the gulf stream to the Atlantic ocean, and
hence the Pacific is comparatively free from
those terrible sea storms or gales that occur
go frequently on the Atlantic. Then, as
before intimated, the unbroken Coast Range
stands a perpetual barrier to protect the
valley from the effects Of a storm outside
on the ocean, should one occur. We are in
debted to the peculiar formation Of our coast
and the high ranges Of mountains on either
side OF us for the absence not only of lorna
does but equally also for the absence OF those
terrific thunder, storms that frequent the
Atlantic slope aud the great Mississippi val
lev country. Our superior climate, with its
many advantages to agriculture, comes from
the peculiar formation Of our mountain sur
roundings The narrowness of our inland
basin, or valley, from east TO west, as compared
to its length from north to south, also de-
teruines the direction Of our prevailing winds,
and creates constant contention or strife
between the north and south wind for the
mastery. Between the north and south vino
in the California basin, or over the whole
country embraced between the coast and
Sierra ranges ard the northern and southern
State liues, there is, 80 to speak, an ire
pressible conflict "a constant strife for the
ascendency The south wind, whether in
winter or summer, whether it comes with the
gentle summer breezes or with the force and
power of winters storm, always brings
with it a welcome gift to all animate and in
animate nature To man it brings health
and vigor of mind ard body, and to all lower
animals it is especially welcome and appar-
ently satisfactory. To all vegetation it is the
essence Of life and health and vigorous
growth At seed time it hsstens germins-
ton and purses the tender plant and helps it
put forth its greatest strength and most lux
urious growth. IL sustRiDs il through all the
stages of advancement and stands by it in
the season Of its maturity. 1t promises every
tree and vine and plaIt the ability to perfect
itself and TO bring forth seed after its kind,
in the greatest abundance and Of the best
quality. Il is the especial Joy Of the husband
nan, for it fills bis cellars with the finest
fruits and wines. and his grsnaries with the
best wheat and corn. Indeed the south wind,
to all California, means plenty and prosper
ity. With light rains and prevailing south
winds the success OF agriculture for any sea-
son is secure, while with heavy rains and
prevailing north winds the failure of crops is
equally certainty. The south wind is the
positive, while the north wind is the mega
tive condition Of nature. While the one Is
life, the other is death and, ike life and
death, they are in constant conflict. Like
two great opposing armies the north and
south wind stand in constant opposi-
ton to each other. The south
wind is the army of protection,
while the north wind is the army of invasion.
The one sustains and protects every industry
of the country, while the other is 6 constant
menace to all the industries. In the wake of
the south wind all nature smiles with joy and
hope while the north wind leaves in its track
tie cries of sorrow ard despair. Yesterday
che whole State was in lamentation over the
devastations of the north wind brought upon
the country during season of victorious ad-
vances To-day tie same country ia rejoicing
ever the successes the south wind is gaining
over the natural adversary. Last week the
reports of ruined crops filed the air from
Siskiyou to San Diego This week reports
Of rejuvenated nature are equally prevalent.
Thus do prospects vary and hopes rise and
fall with the varying successes of the opposing
forces of the north and south winds in Cali
fornia.