The herald., 1896-02-27
WEATHER AND CROPS
Drought Is Bad and the Desert Winds Are
Worse

Drought Is Bad and the Desert Winds Are
Worse
Following is the United States depart
ment of agriculture climate and crop bull
letin of the weather bureau for the week
ending February "a, 1896:
The weather during the week just closed
was not only marked by the continuance
of the protracted drought, but was inrensi.
fled by unseasonably warm, high tempera-
ture ard accompanied by dessiccating des-
ert winds. The precipitation this season
to date is not only deficient, but it is the
least ever noted in the records of the
weather bureau station at Los Angeles.
The snowfall is also deficient in the noun
tains and the streams are said to be rum
ming lower than ever known at this period
of the year. The continued long dry sea-
son is materially affecting grain and pas
ture, as the soil is becoming hard and dry,
and unless rain comes very soon It is
doubtful if crops will mature.
Irrigatng orchards has already begun,
which is unusually early for this work;
early fruits are leafing; almonds and
oranges are blooming.
The following shows the precipitation
from the beginning of the seasons to March
1st, and from then to the close of the
season:
Previous to March 1-1S7s-9, 9.26 in. ::
ls7o's0, 1926; 1sso-l, HOO; 1ss1-2,
Il.
5, ZIG; 1856, 1859; 1857, 1891;
1sS7-S, 1864; 1850, 11.s5; IsS9-9O,
1880; 1901, 1926; 1912, 6.O6;
1928, 17.41; 1894, sos; 1S94-5,
11.67; 1886 to February "a, 1896. {. .O4.
Following March 1st- 1889, 1.95 in;
5:Is; 1855, 2 5.o7; ' 1881, so h9S!zS 1S.72;
1SS4-5. 2.Os; 1856, 5.s4; 1867,
2.92; 1SS7-s, 3.34; 1859, Z. 40; 1889
90. 30; 1901, los; 1912, 5.74;
1923. $50; 1884, 10; 1S94-5, 4.43 !;
1886,
Los ANGELES COUNTY
Los Angeles City.-Very warm, dry
weather with harsh desert winds. Only a
light sprinkle of rain has fallen this
month, which makes the deficiency this
month nearly three inches. The tempera-
ture was eight degrees in excess of the
weekly average; the highest was Sc de.
grees; lowest, 43 degrees.
Lancaster.-There were some frosty
nights during the past week, but the days
we're warmer than usual. Fruit trees are
in blossom and alfalfa is making growth
Observation-Disclosures hot week with brisk
desert winds. Grain is suffering severely,
and some is past recovery even if the rain
occurred immediately; another ten days
without rain will destroy most of it. April
cots are blooming freely; oranges begin
ming to bloom.
Duarte-The temperature has been above
the normal. The hay and grain crops are
beginning to show the lack of rain, and
unless it comes soon the crops will suffer.
Rain is looked for about the 2Sth inst. vet
the prospects are for the driest year since
1864. Oranges are being picked and sent
out quite rapidly. Highest temperature SO
degrees, lowest 45.
Pomona-FarIners, stockmen, dairymen
and ranchmen are becoming much con-
cerned at the continuance of the long dry
longer crops will suffer. The mountain
streams are lower now than ever before at
this time of the year.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
San Diego City-So far we have had but
little rain. Tho hot, dry winds of the past
few days have badly demoralized the
growing crops, and unless we lave plenty
neither grain nor hay.
Escondido-The weather of the past
week was warm, with desert winds, which
dried the soil very rapidly. Unless rain
comes shortly grain will suffer. Almonds
are blooming; oranges are in fine condi.
tlon; tree planting being done to large ex-
tent.
Valley Center-The past week was very
warm; the temperature ranged from 70 to
50 degrees in the middle of the day. The
warm weather, in connection with the
scant rainfall, is disastrous to crops. The
tOtol W udto Is %. ~ luCDeS. lhe
usual amount for the same period is 5
inches.
ORANGE COUNTY
Tustin-The weather was warmer than
the previous week, with a little fog, but no
rain. Between light rainfall and drying
winds, the ground is very dry, except
where water is near the surface. Rain is
now needed for portion of the grain and
will be soon for all.
Capistrano-The highest temperature
during the week was rs degrees, lowest 52
degrees.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Moreno - Drying winds are prevalent
barley is turning yellow and only imme-
dlate rain can save the grain crop. April
cots and peaches are beginning to bloom.
Many orchardists are irrigating their lrees,
an unusual necessity at this season of the
year.
SAN LUIS OBISpO COUNTY
Musick-Warm, dry weather prevailed
the carly part OF the week; Friday looked
like rain, but cleared up by noon, Early
fruits are coming into leaf.