The record-union., 1898-02-02
Long Continued Dry Weather Pre-
vents Vegetable Growth.
Sheep and Cattle on the Ranges Suffering
70! Want Of Feed.
Prevailing Dry Weather in Fresno
County Causing the Farmers to
Pursue Conservative Methods
Outlook for Cereal Crops in San
Diego County Unpromising Ow-
ing to Want of Rain.

SAN JOSE, Feb. 1.-THE long contin-
ued dry weather, coupled with the ab-
normally low temperature running
since about the 1st of December, has
prevented vegetable growth. Grain
which was sown early has Sprouted IN
most cases, but the constant freezing
and lack of rain has prevented its
growth Pasture does not exist. Fruit
trees, usually in good bud, show no
growth as yet. but will be all the bet
ter with seasonable weather from now
on.
The clouds which have been threaten
ing since yesterday were much brohen
to-day, and there has been no rain TO
speak Of Only the barest sprinkle.
Conditions are still favorable for rain.
Cattle and sheep are being driven IN
from the ranges, and many sheep sold
for mutton before they get too thin.
Cattle are being fed. Some orchardists
are irrigating. Water is getting low in
many wells.
MORE RAIN NEEDED.
STOCKTON. Feb. Farmers in this
section who have been interviewed by
an Associated Press representative, All
concede that the present conditions OF
crops Oh All kluuS Is COHu uClNe 10 ii
large harvest The only thing which
causes any uneasiness is the uncer-
tainty Of more rain. A large acreage
of wheat and other grains has been put
in. and the soil was never in bs-ter
shape than this season for getting in
seed.
The extremely cold Waether which
has prevailed for nearly a month past
tl,-at
it has held it back, SO that ii will es
cape late frosts, besides killing off
many pests. The usual amount of RAIN
for February and March will insure i'm
mense crops.
The rainfall for the season UP TO
date is 3.1S inches, including 0.10 when
fell last night.
DRY IN FRESNO COUNTY.
FRESNO, Feb. 1.-The prevailing
dry weather has caused the farmers Of
his vicinity TO pursue very conserva-
tive methods in planting wheat. AS
result very small acreage has been
planted. Some of this is up and doing
Well II viii not suffer if rain falls
within two weeks but rain must come,
if there is TO be any crop at all. On
wheat land depending upon irrigation
been so cold that farmers have been
afraid to irrigate, lest the seed be rot
ted.
1t is warmer to-day. however, and
irrigation viii be commenced at once
The West Side country is suffering Ter
rain. Stockmen are feeding their sheep
hay and Egyptian corn at great az
pense. This feed is becoming exhaust
ed.
The thrip threatens to ruin the grape
crop for next year 1t was thought that
the cold weather would kill this pest.
but 1t has not harmed it in the least.
The insect exists by the million Radi-
cal means are being taken to rid the
vineyards.
SHEEP SUFFERING.
SAN DIEGO. Feb. 1.-The outlook for
cereal crops in San Diego County, like
that in other counties of Southern Cali
fornda, is unpromising for want OF rain.
II the San Jacinto District cool weather
has retarded grain, and continued dry
ness jeopardizes crops. Warmer wealth
er and indications of rain make ranch
ers hopeful. The citrus fruit crop has
escaped damage from recent cold snaps,
save in isolated low places outside of the
frostless zone. Cold weather and scant
pasturage have caused severe mortality
in the sheep herds of the county, thou
sands of lambs dying from exposure and
hunger.
GENEROUS RAINS NEEDED.
Los ANGELES, Feb. 1.-The follow
ing is a synopsis of the Weather Bureau
crop report for the week ending Janu-
AIRY 81, 1895:
The past week was cold. wintry and
dry. except few places on the coast
where there were quite favorable show
ers. which enabled blowing and seeding
TO continue. Elsewhere the rainfall
was scant. and the lack of moisture is
becoming serious. Grain is feeling the
effects of the continued dry. cold wealth
er, and the scarcity of pasture is alarm
ing cattlemen. Citrus and deciduous
fruit orchards are being generally irri-
gated The cold weather of the past
week was the severest of the season, and
in localities tender vegetation. lemons.
loquots and early vegetables were badly
hort by frost. Warm weather and gen
erous rains are needed in all sections.
ONLY A SLIGHT FALL AT MILTON
MILTON. Feb. l.-After a heavy
southwest wind and every indication of
a considerable storm. only Oh Of an inch
OF rain fell before the weather cleared
again. Unless there should be a good
rainfall soon the situation in this Sec
ton VIII be serious.