The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-01
lRVINGTON.
The Farmers Are Anxious About
Rain and Want 1t Badly.

Editor Morning Call: at the present
writing the north wind, which has blown so
steadily for the past week, has died down,
anC% bat light wind there is is shifty and
uncertain, hut seems to come in occasional
puffs from the south. The air is heavy
with suggt stions of moisture. and gray sky
and falling barometer are some of the indi-
cations that, just now, are causing the farm
ers' hopes TO mount.
The dry weather is a constant topic of
conversation. and the woods has emptied
itself Of ''dry-wipter prophets" whose phe-
nomenal wisdom regarding the elements is
only equaled by their Unsuitable desire to
impart their knowledge to all corners.
Joking aside, though, the matter begins to
look serious. The farmers are beginning
TO find their mental horizon taking on the
same deep cerulean hue that for weeks past
has characterized the cloudless heavens
above US. In other words they are feeling
blue, for they know that unless rain comes
within the next fortnight scanty if not
ruined crops are inevitable.
A year ago at this time we had had nearly
thirty-fiVe inches of rain for the season. Up
TO date, this winter, we have not had five.
Ground that has been plowed and seeded
is baking in the sun. That not yet plowed
is so hard as to render working it out Of the
question. Ii rain should come within the
next few days all danger Will be averted,
as the crops have not yet suffered from the
drought, and judging from the records of
previous years, there is yet time, ere the
winter is over, for all that is needed to fall.
1t must begin soon, however, if 1t intends
TO get It's knitting done this season. Last
years rainfall was so plentiful that the
farmer can get along with but little this
winter! but he wants that little badly and
quickly.
The season has been q very favorable one
for building and the number of new hand
some structures that have gone up this win
ter is something heretofore unknown in the
history OF our town. A sort of building
emulation seems to have sprung up among
our people, and IT is now affirmed that four
more pretty new residences are going up at
once on the San Jose road, as one Of our
pfettlest residence streets is called.
The children of our public school have in
contemplation a scheme which speaks
highly OF their pluck, enterprise and local
pride 1t is nothing nor less than the for
nation Of stock company for the purpose
Of publishing school paper. The young
people are convinced that they can make as
much Of success of the publication as the
Oakland High School pupils have done, and
as they are all bright and energetic young
sters. and the PRINCIPAL OF the school is wise
as well as enthusiastic, we look to see tie
project succeed il undertaken.
j. n. Smith having succeeded J. A.
Trefry as constable, the township jail, CON-
monty known as the 'calaboose." was last
week, by order of the Board Of Supervisors.
removed from Centerville TO lryington,
where it has been placed on Mr.. Smiths
lot. The calaboose is not very large struct-
ure, nor are its architectural proportions
snch as to render 1t an ornament to the
town, but the manner of its moving is worthy
OF passing mention. 1t was mounted on
skids, and then Ed Ryan's new traction en-
CINE was brought up from the fields and the
building attached to it, The engine made
the trip from CenterYiIe to Irylngton in
about an hour and half, keeping the road
well and iulling its load without trouble.
Those who saw the machine at work are
convinced that before many years these en-
gines will entirely supersede horses for
heavy hauling.
There is quite little sickness about town