The herald., 1896-07-14
WEATHER AND CEOPS
The Present Season Is Q Whole Has Been Q
Poor One

Following is the United States depart
ment of agriculture climate and crop
bulletin of the weather. bureau, being a
special report of the weather and crop
conditions in Southern California, dur
ing the season Of 1S95-96:
Reports from correspondents viewing
the effects of the weather during the
past season, shows that the rainfall was
light and the weather conditions unfav-
orable for the growth of fruits and grain.
The season was a dry one and the year
decidedly of as regards the quality and
quantity Of crops of pretty nucn of
every description. The grain and hay
crops in naturally moist lands and In
some sections of the coast districts were
fairly good, while in the interior and
on mesa lands the scant rainfall greatly
diminished these crops from the nor
NAL. High winds and frosts in the win
ter damaged the orange crop tola con-
siderable extent, and late spring frosts
and continued cool weather caused ma
terial injury to the deciduous fruit crop
and vineyards, particularly in the low
lying grounds. Oranges are reported to
be dropping badly and the late bloom on
prune trees failed TO set because of an
extremely hot spell during the latter
part of May. The lack Of sufficient rain
fall caused an early resort to irrigation,
and streams are running very low, but
with economy in the usehof water most
places vii have enough till the fall rains
set In. While the past season was dry
one and the weather generally unfav-
orable for crops, yet it was not such as to
cause total failure in the growth of
vegetation and a fair average will be
realized.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Goleta-The rainfall for the season
was fourteen and three-quarter inches
below the average. There were no
frosts or hail; heavy winds occurred in
April. May and June, but owing to rain
on the goth of April crops are looking
fairly we'll and promising. Streams are
very low.
VENTURA COUNTY
Bardsdale-The late April frost re-
duced deciduous fruits to a nominal
crop; later blossoms on prune trees fell
because of the succeeding hot weather.
the same cause also made the young
oranges to drop badly. as they were very
tender at the time. The orchards are
all in healthy condition, however. The
nay and grain crops are good; beans
look well; corn and irrigable crops will
need irrigation. Owing to the light rain
fall after two seasons of light rains. the
water supply Is scarce, many welSs ere
ory and irrigation is crippled. Streams
are empty.
West Saticoy-The very warm east
winds of the late fall and winter. to-
gether with light rainfall greatly dim
inished the fruit and hay crops in unir-
rieated districts. While frost was Sc
we're on young, tender lemon growth, It
olo little, II any. damage to deciduous
!rult trees The lack of moisture is fore
ing fruit to ripen prematurely and less
Inan the natural size. Beans look we'll
Inere has been no lack of water for ir-
rigation SO far.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
La Canada-Warm, dry weather, dur
ing January and February caused grain
70 grow slowly and appear yellow, and
also an unreasonable growth and bloom
ing of trees and vines. Unusually cold
weather in March and April benefited
grain but retarded the growth of trees
ana vines and Interrupted setting of
fruits. oranges were fair crop of fine
quaiity and were nearly all gathered be.
14re the nail and snow storms of early
March which did considerable damage
70 tender growth and small lemons.
frosts occurred at this time in low ex-
posed places which nipped fruit and veg
etaDles. Brisk, variable winds prevailed
ana drew from the soil the little mois-
ture that fell. May was warm ana S,.v
favorable for harvesting grain. Trees
and vines have commenced to feel the
drought and streams and springs are
lowering. Small oranges and lemons
are dropping to considerable extent.
Duarte-The season of '96 will long
oe remembered by farmers as the most
u,i,aVoraDle ~ La or one for crops Of all kinds
IN many ears In some localities the COM
ing orange crop will be almost q total
failure; the hay crop was very light.
peaches are almost q total failure.
grapes We're badly damaged by frost in
March, and the prune crop will be very
IsnC Hrune trees blossomed in Novem-
per, 1S95 and June, 1896, but the latter
bloom did not set. The ground lost
moisture from the winter rains fast
ana the mountain streams are runninr
very low for this time Of the year.
Fomona-Crops during the past season
We're unfavorably affected by lack of
rain and frost about the middle of March
But little grah is grown in this vicinitv
put barley and wheat are grown for hav
OF which unfavorable weather caused
deficiency of about one-fourth of the
crop. A large percentage of cool.
cloudy weather in a measure compen.
stated for short rainfall On moist
lands alfalfa yielded as well as usual.
me wind storm in December did con-
sioerape damage in a small percentage
OF orchards, and frosts injured oranges
destroyed three-fourths Of a heavily
very great extent. The March frost
Killed about half of the deciduous fruit
crop, and more than that percentage of
grapes. Hail did no harm The moun-
tain streams are lower than ever before
at this season of the year.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Ontario-High winds and heavy frosts
In December and January injured or
anges to some extent; practically no
damage was done by the spring frosts
and hail. The water supply will be short
from the scant rainfall, but ranches will
not suffer. Deciduous fruits will be
about as usual.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Moreno-The seasons barley crop was
very small because Of the light rain
fall and desiccating Winds Late frosts
destroyed three-fourths of a heavily
set crop Of peaches and apricots.
Prunes failed to bloom freely from un-
known causes. The berry crop was de-
vastated early in the season by birds.
but blackberries became abundant later
Water for irrigation is obtained from
distant source, buut the supply is
good. Late rains were a great help to
trees.
South Riverside-The light rains of
the past season resulted in the streams
being low and water comparatively
scarce, though this colony has a goodly
amount The grain and hay crops were
light on account Of an unpropitious
season, but the quality was good. The
frosts did not injure citrus fruits. but
damaged deciduous buds SO that the
crop will be small. There were no high
winds or hail.
ORANGE COUNTY
Santa Ana-Unusually cool weather
H.