Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-05
Millions of Money to the State
of California.
There is Life and Health in
Every Drop That Fell.
The Great Prosperity That Smiles
Upon the State This Morning.
1t Droppeth Like the Gentle Rain From
Heaven Upon the Place Beneath,
Blessing Just and Unjust.

OdliiolIlld lS JtDlldut. y DTOdu SIullC
suffuses all faces from Siskiyou to San
Diego, from the Slerras to the sea. The
rain has done it all. This is the first
real rain OF the season, and it comes
later than usual. That is what makes
it all the more welcome. Here in the
south we are somewhat used to dry
falls, followed by plentiful pluvial pre-
cipitations later on. We know that the
rains of September and October are in
juries rather than benefits, that those
OF November are questionable dispensa-
tlons, and that December is full early
enough for moisture to insure the best
results. The rains that fall after the
first OF January are worth twice as
much as the same amount a month
earlier, and an inch in March is
better than five inches in November.
Up country a dry fall is usually the
pretty sure precursor of dry season to
the close. Down here we like a dry
fall, because it gives the farmers plenty
OF time to get their crops all under cover,
and December is quite early enough to
let people plow for the grain crops,
to plant trees, and for all other pur-
poses. The man who has not got his
hay out of the rain at this date, prob
ably would never get it under cover.
The slow coach who is caught out at this
long range ought to be caught out on a
foul before he reaches first base.
Tins fhn rain in, fho
nick of time, and there is quite enough
OF 1T Tor the present necessity. It fell
to the amount of nearly two inches all
over the valley, and it was a warm visi-
tation which will cause seeds to germin-
ate at once. If followed by warm
weather, in week all the plains and
hlllsldes will be mass OF emerald hue,
making such mantle as Nature, in
ner most benehcent and gentle moods,
delights to array her fair form in.
little rain goes long way this sea-
son. The mountains, pools, lakelets and
streams are full of water from the CO.
plous precipitations of several years
past. The last season was a very wet
one, in which six inches fell in October.
sixteen in December, and an average OF
forty in the valley for the season. All
the rivers were running a good stream
before the late rain; the artesian wells
were full the low lands were full of
moisture, and the soil was wet to within
a few inches of the surface. For instance.
the stream in the Verdugo caflon, which
goes dry usually in May, ran until we'll
into June d year ago and has been run
ming all summer long this season.
Another proof that the country is a
perfect well-spring of water is
the amount that was running in the
streams Yesterday from the rains. The
Arroyo Seco carried very large body of
water Tor so short and moderate a rain.
In ordinary years the first downpour
such as that Of the past two DAYS would
hardly show in the dry bed of that
stream. But as the water receptacles
in the mountains are already full from
the rains of the previous season, the
precipitation of Wednesday and Thurs
day rapidly found its way to the Los An
geles river from all the continent
streams. So large current came down
this riyer-bed that the Terminal Rail
road company found itself compelled to
haul up its aprons, bridges and scrapers
out OF the way of the incipient flood.
The ground is thus in excellent condi-
ton for cultivation. The plows will all
be turned into activity at once, and in
every valley in the state merriy will go
the plowman's song on many broad
acre, as he turns the sod and covers the
seed into the fruitful SOIL The light
ram OF SIX weeks ago prevented the top
OF the ground from becoming too hard
and with the downpour of this storm
there will be no further need of moist
ure until the middle of January.
class OF farmers who are particu-
larly Jubilant are those who are raising
crops OF winter vegetables on the frost
less belt along the foothills. These people
have acres OF peas, tomatoes, string
beans, early potatoes, cabbages, cauli
flower and other crops in the ground.
The peas are in blossom in some places,
and just coming above the ground in
others. The tomato vines are out in
the rows or all ready in the nursery
beds. In some cases the fruit is begin
ming to ripen. Rain was really needed
for these crops in some places, and it
has come at the time to do the most
good. The crops will soon begin to be
ready to market, from some of the patches
and they will continue to come in all
winter long. The farmers will get re-
turns from the eastern cities to the tune
of 5000 to $500 an acre.
In the city the rain has laid the dust,
as it has also along all the roads in the
country. and it has swept the cutters
clean and flushed the sewers. Health
as well comfort is thus insured to all
who dwell here. Driving will be per-
fect delight to those who can indulge in
this pastime. In few days the grass
will germinate, the flowers will spring
and all the face of nature will smile as
brightly as maiden on her wedding
morning. California will now revel in
bright skies, green fields, fresh flowers,
springing crops of grain, budding fruit
trees, perfect days for outdoor enjoy
ment, good health, general happiness,
and universal prosperity.