Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-22
SOMETHING ABOUT SEASONS.

SOMETHING ABOUT SEASONS.
The rainy season in Southern Califor-
MIA this year is later than last. In 1890
we had several trifiing rains in October
and our first material rain on the 18th
of November. Most of the highly profit
able and agreeable seasons in Southern
California have been characterized by
late rainfalls. In fact, in nearly all of
those which have been most satisfactory
to our rancheros the rains have set in
about the middle of December. In some
cases Christmas has been chosen as the
date of the pluvial dispensation, and
there has been something about this
gracious time of the year that has made
the outcome gratifying in every line.
1t is a great mistake to suppose that in
Los Angeles county either heavy or
early rains are essential in order to se
cure good crops. AS matter OF fact,
medium rainfalls result in the most
abundant harvests in all staples. Ten
inches of rainfall properly distributed
are in this sectien far better than
forty. Last year, with a moderate
precipitation, every one did we'll. Year
before last, however, the case was widely
different. The downpour was so ex-
cessive that the spontaneous grasses
and much of the grain were rotted be-
fore the rainy season was half over. We
indulge in these reflections for the bene-
fit of newcomers, who are apt to sup
pose that late rainfalls mean scant
crops.
The truth is that, during the past
fifteen years, the rainfall in the Los
Angeles valley proper has exceeded that
in the Sacramento valley, and it has
been at least twice as large as that in
the lower portions of the San Joaquin
valley. 1t seems to be impossible to
resist the conclusion that the precipita-
ton has greatly increased hereabouts
during that period. 1t may be that we
are going back to an old cycle prior
to the American occupation-the native
| Californians were not noted for the
accuracy of their meteorological data
but to whatever circumstance it may be
ascribed, the fact would appear
to be indisputable that we
have increased our normal rainfall
from fifty to sixty per cent. There are
three explanationsfor for this change. The
first is that there has been great deal
of tree planting. 1t seems to be con-
ceded in the most intelligent scientific
circles that trees act not only as con-
deneers of moisture but as attracters of
rain clouds. This has been developed,
it has been said, in the experience of
the people of Colorado, Utah and other
sections heretofore grouped as decisively
in the arid belt. Trees are, unquestion-
ably, great factor in producing rain.
The opening up of the soil is another
and perhaps greater one. The capillary
attraction thus generated has tendency
to bring up moisture from below to meet
| that attracted from above. A third and
last cause is probably the spanning of
the continent by the iron rail in so many
places, thus superinducing electrical
energies OF unknown force and direction.
To the breaking up OF the soil and
the effects OF railway building may
undoubtedly be ascribed the remark
able changes which nave been noted in
the climate of Kansas, which has be-
come reliable agricultural state from
having been one OF the most capricious
in the country.
Thus, in Los Angeles, we are now con-
fronted with conditions remarkably dis
similar to those which have existed in
the past. The possibility OF drouth
has been reduced in this region to a
minimum. Once there was condition
when the section was given up to pas
turage, and when the greed of the own
ers OF focks and herds outran their dis
cretion, resulting in drouth. 1t would,
in truth, be delightful thing to have
one OF our old-time winters, in which
the rainfall should be exactly enough.
and the floods of the last lustrum be fol-
the nonce a thing of the past.
1t is just possible that We are about to
be blessed with such season, when
nature is at the acme of her glories, and
every rain is followed by an air at once
exhiliarating and life-giving, recalling
the best traditions of the eastern MAY.
-
the board of supervisors yesterday