The San Francisco call., 1898-02-07
RAIN GIVES NEW LIFE TO CROPS Showers Continue to Fall Throughout the
 State.
Indications in Many Sections Point to a Heavy
 Downpour.
Large Acreage Sown to Grain Now Bids Fair to Yield Biz
 Returns.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

VENTURA, Feb. 6.-Rain began fall ing here this morning, and has contin- ued at intervals. Reports received from interior sections are that sheep raisers are jubilant, as well as the farmers and fruit growers. heavy rain storm is now expected. With plenty of rain an abundance of grain will be assured. There would also be heavy fruit crop.
 iNAPA, Feb. 6.-For the past thirty six hours there has been general rain throughout Napa Valley. The present season thus far has been exceedingly cold and dry, being very favorable to the fruit growers, but not beneficial to grain growers who have an unusually large amount of grain sown. The pres ent rain has been of incalculable bene- fit to the general farming community.
 PORTERVILLE, Feb. 6.-Forty five hundredthS of an inch of rain fell here during last night and this morning, with prospects for more before the storm is over. The warm weather of the past few days had been drying the grain rapidly, and this precipitation came just in time to save 1t. A much larger acreage than usual has been sown this season.
 SANTA BARBARA, Feb. 6.-It IS thought that the backbone of the dry season in this section has been broken, as 1t rained all Saturday night, and has been raining steadily to-day. The cattlemen and farmers are more hope full for the future.
 TULARE, Feb. 6.-Fifty- -hundredths of an inch of rain fell here last night. Everybody is happy, as the drought is at an end, and good crops are assured. The weather is threatening, and more rain is expected tonight. Grain is growing nicely.
 YUBA CITY, Feb. 6.-It began rain ing here yesterday noon. The precipi- tation for the storm is 1.53 inches, and for the season 8.09.
 SAN LUIS OBISPO, Feb. 6.-It is be- lieved that the rain of to-day, if fol- lowed by even moderate showers, will make fair crops, and the area of ground sown is over the average in ex- pectancy of high prices. Cattle have suffered badly, and dairymen will lose heavily now, even If rains come. Grain, fruit, beets, etc., will be fairly good.
 BAKERSFIELD, Feb. 6.-There was just enough rain this morning to lay the dust. Crops are not suffering yet There is some fear about the snow on the mountains for summer water. Win ter feed is scarce, owing to the cold weather. Hay is advancing and ship ments to unirrigated counties increas- ing. Stock in the foothills is poor and weak.
 LOS ANGELES, Feb. 6-The weath- CT to-day has been threatening and showers have occurred during the day, but there has been no copious down. pour such as is badly needed both for the fruit trees and the grain crops. Clouds are still heavy overhead to- hnWaUar nd changes again more rain will likely re- suit. The small grain sown within the last month has made a very small growth, and some is hardly out of the ground. A light crop will result unless the rain comes soon. Hay has ad- vanced in price here already in antici- patton of scarcity. There is a short age of water for irrigation purposes al- ready, and trees that cannot be irri- gated are already needing rain.
 SACRAMENTO, Feb 6.-No rain has fallen here since last night, but the weather is warm and the sky clouded. The preeipation of yesterdays storm was about one inch, and 1t must have greatly benefited the crops, though, as frequently stated, grain in this vi- cinity and north of here was not suffer ing for rain. If the rainfall the rest of this month and in March and April should be anything near the average there will be good crops. The buds or the apricot, almond and cherry trees are swelling, and few weeks more will find many in blossom. It is believed that the cold weather has passed and that from now on everything will grow luxuriantly. Grass and grain that had been kept back by the frost are now starting up.