The San Francisco call., 1898-01-16
Liqht Showers Fall in Several Sections of
 the State.
More Are Needed to Give an Impetus to Grain and
 Fruit Crops.
Extent of the Damage by the Recent FrOsts in Los Angeles
 County.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


 SAN JOSE, Jan. 15.-Rain began falling in San Jose and vicinity this morning and continued at intervals until evening. In all 10 of an inch fell. The farmers are pleased because the indications point to another down pour. Several inches more of rain is needed to meet the demands of the soil. A few more rains, and the Santa Clara Valley will be assured of large crops, both of fruit and grain.
 SACRAMENTO, Jan. 15.-There was a short shower of light rain here this afternoon, which probably pleased the farmers. The continued frosts and cold weather, it is said, are keeping back the grain, which will not make much headway until a warmer spell comes on. No complaints of a lack of moisture are heard here. The crops are in a state of statu quo, so to speak. The grain is all in the ground, awaiting only warm weather, with occasional rains, to show rapid growth. There are no reports of injury to crops in this section from drought or other causes, but they are retarded and held back by cold weather. As soon as the conditions change, the growing crops will come right along.
 The County Horticultural Commis- Sioners report the chief damage of the weeks frost to have occurred in the neighbCrhood of Downey and Rivera. Many of the orchards there suffered se- Verely, fruit and young trees being frozen in many instances. The damage occurred in streaks. following the eX- treme lowlands and gulches. Lemons were also injured. Fruit inspectors have condemned a quantity of frosted oranges offered in open market iD lhis city. The damage to trees and fruit oC- cured only on lands unfit for citrus cultivation. The high foothill orchards were not affected by the touch of low temperature.
 STOCKTON, Jan 15.-The rainfall to-day was very light, and had no eff feet on the crop outlook The farmers have generally finished blowing and are awaiting heavy falls of rain, but no damage is feared from the delayed downpours, and there is no present fear of a dry season, for it is remembered that last year there was very little rain until February and then it came too fast and crops suffered for late rains in the spring. It is the late rains that make crops, and farmers feel nc anxiety until the spring opens. While the winter rains hold off the indications are good for late spring rains, and these make the farmers glad. The acre age in this county will be larger than for many years. and from the present outlook the crops will be abundant The rainfall in Southern California during the week was sufficient in most cases for general farm work. Flowing and seeding has started afresh and there is general confidence of a full | crop. Early sown grain is doing wei and pasturage has revived. The tota l rainfall for the season is BIT inches The indications are for more rain dur | ing the next twenty-four hours. The | maximum temperature to-day was 6: ! degrees, minimum temperature 40 de | grees.
 ! SAN DIEGO. Jan. 15.-The late rai1 1 has removed all present danger of th' i grain crop failing. The acreage is mucl | larger than last year. Early in the sea | son immense tracts were sown to grain which is already well advanced. Thi! 1 is notably the case in the Santa Maria ] Fl Cajon, Poway, EscOndidO and De ] Mar districts, in all of which an in ! creased acreage has been planted 1 Since the last storm farmers have beer ! busy sowing more grain. The weathel i is clear here tonight.