The herald., 1897-12-01
CLIMATE AND CROPS
Weekly Summary of Prevailing
California Conditions

! SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. S0.-The fol-
lowing summary of the climatic condi-
tions throughout the State fer the week
ending November Goth was issued to-
day by Director W. H. Harmon of thu
| Weather Bureau
The weather has been decidedly cooler
| throughout the State. The tempera-
ture near or below the freezing point
occurred generally during the latter part
| of the week. In the San Joaquin Valley
minimum temperature of 2S degrees
| was reported. Cold, clear weather pre-
| vailed from Wednesday. There is a
marked deficiency in rainfall for the
week except in the northwestern coun-
ties, where the rainfall is nearly half an
inch in excess of the normal. In the
northern half of the Sacramento Valley
and in some of the southern coast coun-
ties, the deficiency in rainfall is nearly
half an inch for the week. Frosts have
been frequent during the week. Heavy
frosts occurred in the northern half Of
the State on many dates. Killing frosts
occurred in the valleys on the 25th. 9th
and 2Sth. In the citrus fruit belt there
appears to have been no damage to fruit
from the frcst. Oranges are ripcning
rapidly.
Farmers are busy plowing and seeding
wherever the ground is in fit condition
to allow of farming operations. In the
greater portion of the State. however.
the lack of rain keeps farming opera
tions at a standstill, or else compels re-
sorting to irrigation.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Following is the United States depart
ment of agriculture weather bureau
climate and crop bulletin for Southern
California for the week ending Novem-
Der 20, 1897:
The week opened warm, with showers
OF rain on the 24th, which were quite
heavy along the Sierra Madre and San
Bernardino foothills. followed by clear,
cool weather, with frequent frosts. The
frosts were generally light, though in
low, exposed localities, and in high ele-
vations they We're heavy; no damage
resulted from frost, except to tender
vegetable growth Dry plowing and
seeding continues in localities, but gen.
orally such work is suspended on ac-
count of the dry condition of the SOIL
Rain is badly needed to moisten the SOIL
to start feed, and for general farm work
which is pretty much at a standstill for
lack of rain to put the ground in con-
dition for working. The dry weather
necessitates irrigation of citrus orchards,
but the weather conditions are favor
able for ripening oranges.
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
There was frost on the night of the
27th, which did no HARM 7-100 of an
inch of rain fell ON the 23d. Highest
temperature, rs degrees
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Carpinteria.--A trace Of rain fell on
Wednesday morning. The temperature
fell 20 degrees from Wednesday morning
to Thursday morning, and heavy frosts
occurred Friday and Saturday morning.
Highest temperature, II degrees; low
est, d6 degrees.
VENTURA COUNTY
Barsdale.--Cool weather prevailed,
with light frosts in low or exposed places,
doing no harm. Ground very dry, and
orchards need rain.
West Saticoy.-Except sprinkle Of
rain on the 2dth, the same general con-
ditions prevailed as the previous week.
The need of rain is badly felt
El Rio.-The highest temperature was
&c degrees, and the lowest, 81 degrees.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Los Angeles City.-Thc week opened
warm, with light showers on the 24th,
followed by clear, cool weather, with
frosts in low grounds. Highest tempera-
ture. IA degrees; lowest. 81 degrees.
Rainfall, ]-100 of an inch.
West Palmda,c.-Fair weather pre-