The herald., 1897-05-18
As Affected by Prevailing
Weather
NORTHERN GRAIN GROWERS
SUFFER DAMAGE BY UNTIMELY
RAINsTOR1Gs
The Southern Section Fares Somewhat
Better-0rain Is Good and Fruit
Fairly Promising

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 17-Special
reports to the Associated Press tonight
from the principal fruit and grain CEN
ters of the state announce a general
rainfall. which. in few cases, has in
jured the hay crop, and in other sections
has come too late in the season to b..
beneficial. but in general has been OF
more advantage than injury. Prunes
and almonds seem to have suffered from
the long drought and the hot winds
which blighted the buds. Apricots, too,
have suffered in many localities, but in
general the crop of deciduous fruits
promises well. Pears and peaches indi-
cate large yield; the apple crop is
generally good, and in several counties
grapes are said to be above the average.
The wheat crop will be generally light,
lut growing cereals look much better
along the foothills than on the plains.
The early-seeded grain has turned out
better than the late-s5wn. The rain has
been of advantage to the uncut hay, but
in the early sections yesterdays rain
was decided 6etriment.
Woodland.-There was q heavy show
er Sunday night and this morning. The
average precipitation throughout the
county was half an mich. In few locali-
tise the hay was slightly damaged, but
late-sown wheat has been benefited
Upon the whole, the profits outweigh the
damages. The fruit crop has not been
injured in the least.
Martinez.-Crops in Contra Costa
county are about up to the usual stand
ard. In the San Ramon and Brentwood
districts the grain looks well, though
not as high as other years, on account
of the long dry SPELL. Summer-fallowed
land will bear good crops; the winter
sown not so good. Hay will be plentiful,
but like the grain, will not have much
length. The almond crop in several dis
tricts was shortened about one-haf by
early frosts. Apricots also suffered some.
Pears and peaches will be q good crop,
and grapes will be above the average.
Hollister.-Crops of all kinds, except
grapes and apricots, will be about one
half the usual amount in good season.
Prunes and peaches have dropped badly
The beet crop wifi fall off 80 per cent.
In the Panoche valley and other sections
both the grain and feed crops are almos,
total failures. The cool weather Of the
past week has improved conditions
somewhat.
Redwood City.-Last nights rain was
so light that no harm was done to the
hay crop in this section.
San Jose.-Prunes are placed at from
one-quarter to one-half crop, apricots
fine, cherries scarcely an average, peach
es good, pears very light. Early sown
grain fully up to the average. Medium
sown fair and late sown generally poor,
II not a total failure.
Red Bluff.-Owing to the hard north
winds which have been prevalent for
the last week, and from the lack of any
rain for over month, the crops in this
county will probably average but
slightly over half. Farmers state that
If no rain falls in the next week the pros
poets will be for even smaller yield
The weather is very warm and on much
of the lowlands the grain will not head
out at ali.
Oroville.-The hay crop in Butte coun
ty will be from two-thirds to three
fourths of an ordinary CROP Grain is
coming out well. The cool weather of
the past week on the adobe lands grain
that ten days ago was thought to be a
failure will turn out we'll. Peaches will
be but half crop on bottom lands, a full.
crop In other sections. Prunes, cherries,
pears and apples will all be good Or
anges and olives will be a heavy crop.
Salinas. Crop prospects in Monterey
county have improved within the past
ten days by heavy fogs and cool weather
between Chualar and Kings City. Sa-
linas valley grain on adobe land, except
where irrigated, is burnt up by hot
winds. Many acres are being cut for
hay. Surrounding Salinas and to the
north full average will be harvested.
Stockton portion. OF the state
was visited early this morning by d
rain amounting to about .07 Of an inch.
1t was not sufficient to help grain much.
though badly needed, and it was not
enough to injure hay. for before the
middle Of the forenoon the fields were
dry
Milton.-The rain last night. was not.
generally speaking, welcomed here. It
will have beneficial effect on the
wheat and barley. but has damaged the
dry feed to some extent, especially with
those farmers who are in the midst Of
haylng.
MADEIRA. The grain and fruit crops IN
MADEIRA county have not at all been in
jured by the lack Of rain; on the con-
trary, the cold winds which have pre-
vailed for the last ten days have mate
rally increased the grain outlook. and
at the same time has not in any defree
injured the fruit crop. Altogether, the
outlook for an abundant harvest, both
for grain and fruit, Is most promising.
Napa.--The crop conditions here arr
fair. Early sown grain viii produce well
in hay or grain, but the late sown is
very short and In many instances q to-
tai failure. Some Of the fields are being
summer fallowed. Fruits are medium:
grapes, almonds and apricofa are heavy.
Cherries and peaches are good. Prunes
and pears are light. AZ
vallejo Grain Is light ail through
Eo1ano county. and hay viii ~ scarce
tt5t