Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-05-17
TRO
California Climate and Weather.
PETALUMA, Cal. May Z. 1883.


Ed. Register-We have but two
marked seasons: summer and winter.
Summer is most intense from July to
September, inclusive, and the severest
winter months are December, January
and February. Still there is not day
in summer which will prevent outdoor
work and in winter no more than an
ordinary overcoat Is necessary for extra
protection on the coldsst days. In
February, when wedaliy read of heavy
snow storms, generally through the
Eastern states, we are gathering roses
in our gardens, and in summer, when
we hear OF sunstroke on the other side
of the rockies. our people are laboring
in the harvest fields.
The rain season commences in No
vember generally aid increases in fall
until tile first of January, by which
time our heaviest rains are usually
over. Occasionally showers fall until
about May, continually decreasing
when the summer months begin. The
rains are sufficiently heavy in any year
to insure crop, a failure never having
been experienced since the settlement
of the country. The wet season is not
violent, and, outside slight Interrupt
ton to travel, is never experienced.
We are treated to dry north winds dur
ing the summer months, which, though
unpleasant at the time, are not as
hurtful TO US as to the neightorlng
counties of the Sacramento Valley, be-
cause of our proximity to mountains
affording protection. The north winds
generally continue three days, very
rarely longer, and during their contin-
uance all surface water is absorbed.
During the same season and through
the year We enjoy cool, pleasant south
breezas, always appreciated. They are
generally presage of rain.
The evenings in summer are cool and
pleasant, in many cases requiring bed
covering. The atmospher is dry and
heallhful-free from injurious fogs-
and the warmest days in the summer
months lack the humidity which, in
so many regions, makes the heat al
most unbearable and oppressive. Th e
peculiarly advantageous effects of the
abundant rainfall and the mild climate
are shown in the very wide range of
productions in the country, briefly out
lined above.
The soil is much varied. In some
portions it is loose, rich loam, and in
others it is an adobe: light or heavy
clayey soil. which produces excellent
crops when once under cultivation.
The soil on the hills and mountains is
rich and easily worked, except where
the adobe occurs. The prairies are not
covered with sod, ami the first plowing
is nearly as easy as the subsequent
ones. The severe task of breaking
prairie is not kno wn in this state. The
soil on the timber lands is similar to
| that of the timber lands in other west
ern states. The agricultural produc-
tioEs of California are more varied than
those of any other state in the union.
The soil produces with equal facility
in the peculiar climates found here, the
vines of continental Europe, the hard
lest cereals of North America and the
luxuriant fruits and flowers of the
semi-tropics. California is noted the
world over for the excellent quality
and size of her fruits. The blooming
| flowers in winter are the admiration of
visitors. Wheat, barley. oats, rye,
| buck wheat, Indian corn, broom corn
and hops are extensively raised in
nearly all parts of the state. California
| is the third largest exporter of wheat
of all the United States. Good mark
cts abound for all productions in the
| state. The mining districts furnish
| markets for farm and fruit raisers;
situated within easy reach by wagon.
Farming is generally as profitable in
this state as elsewhere. Wheat, barley
and various other crops can usually be
sold on the land where produced TO the
agents of mill men and shippers, who
traverse the country making purchases
Wheat is shipped to Europe by sailing
vessels. Fruits, honey, wool, hides,
etc, are shipped to the eastern states
by the overland railroads.
California has a population of about
l 200, 900, much scattered, yet the total
annual production of the mines, farms
and manufactures amount to over 81 so, :
Oo0, 600. The people have nearly $780, :
600, 900 in the saving and other banks.
Private lands vary in price from two
dollars and fifty cents an acre for unim-
/ proved lands remote from TOW n to fifty
dollars an acre near town, and from
ten to one hundred dollars an acre for
| improved lands, according to value of
Improvements aud proximity to large
or small towns. C. G. ST. JOHN.
| A Deadly Rlaw