Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-02
LAssEa COUNTY NEws.

EDS. RECORD UNION Never since the
settlement of Lassen were the prospects of
the farmers Of this county more gloomy
than they were a week ago to-day. With
winter just passed, unprecedented for its
absence of snow or rain, spring came upon
us with hot, balmy days, the ground
frozen, and comparatively little of the
blowing or seeding done. As soon as pos
sible the farmers went to work with will,
and although the mercury in the thermom-
eter went up for days to from 70' to So in
the shade, and roads and fields became dry
and dusty, still much was accomplished, as
the many acres of black plowed fields will
testify. For time hopes of portion az
least of the "Wiggins prophecy being
fulfilled no doubt animated some and
promised hope. That "fzzle" hav.
ing passed with the dropping of
perhaps quart of water on the
entire county, the next recourse was abuse
er, who stood both quite well until last
Monday, when he "let all hollis go and
came down with the rain in showers and
torrents, with bus few hours of cessation
up to the present writing, and how long it
will be continued "no teller can find out. I"
The rain, so far, has been warm one, s
little snow having fallen-just enough TO
whiten the tops of the higher hills. The
long. continued warm weather caused the
grass to start, and now the hills and fields
present picture of living green, while the
apricot and many of the peach trees are in
bloom month at least ahead of former
years. With the rain still pouring down,
the assurance of good crops of grain, at
least in this county, seems certain; but
with this assurance there is serious ques.
ton being asked by all, and that is,
"What is going to be the result of the
crickets?" From this valley, extending
north and west through the entire county
into Modoc, the hills are swarming with
myriads of just-hatched crickets, about
the size of q common house.fy. As they
are said to develop in size very fast, and
will soon take up their line of march, and
eat almost everything in their line of
travels, it certainly becomes serious ques-
ton for these mountain counties.
Wherever known the fruit of this coun.
ty has gained an enviable reputation for its
size, perfection and fine favor-especialIy
the apples. Ever since the first apple was
grown here until last year the fruit has
been entirely exempt from the many pests
that injure it in other sections. But last
year there came change in the shape of
the codling moth, which in some orchards
injured almost every apple. 1t now be-
comes apparent that the orchardists of this
section, in order to retain their well. estab.
lished reputation, have got to wage an in
telligent and persistent warfare against all
pests of the orchard, and hopes are enter
tanned that the horticultural Commission,
formed by law of the last Legislature, will
do its duty and see that its provisions are
enforced.
During the coming summer most of the
ground left vacant by the disastrous fires
here in town will be rebuilt with substan.
tial business buildings that will be an orna-
ment to the place, while in other portions
or the town quite number of fine dwell.
ing houses will be erected.
Mr.. Bond, an agent of the General Gov
eminent, has been here number of days
inquiring into the destruction of the tim
Der in this county. l am told that in the
future parties wishing to enter the wood or
lumber business will be obliged to purchase
the land from the Government. A large
portion of the land covered with wood in
this county is almost worthless excepting
to hold the world together-after the tim
Der is removed. L.
Susanville, March IS, 1883.