The herald., 1898-03-23
NOT DAMAGED BY FROST
FOR SAN JOAQUIN FRUIT WAS
ALREADY FROZEN
Agricultural Conditions at visalia
Even More Discouraging as tho
Trees Are Injured

STOCKTON, March 22.-The fruit raisers
of San Joaquin county lost most Of their
crops by the earlier frosts and that Of last
night did no more damage. The succeeding
frosts In the reclaimed sections have cut
down the grain so farmers fear they will
not raise crops unless more rain and warm
er weather comes very soon. On Roberts 9
Island, which is the large district on which
wheat and barley crops were expected, the
grain has been cut down by frosts and Is
fiat. On the lower division there is suffi-
Client moisture to produce crops If the grain
has not been killed by the cold. but the
center sections of the island are very dry
and the grain could not recover from the
frost without plenty OF rain and there is no
present indication OF a sprinkle. On the
uplands In the northern and northeastern
sections of the country the grain crops are
good and will yield well, but fruit Is lost.
A SORRY OUTLOOK
vISALIA, Cal, March Pit is conceded
by orchardists that last nights freeze has
resulted In an almost total loss of the fruit
crop. The thermometer fell to Is degrees.
1t was the coolest weather that has ever
been experienced here in the fruit blossom
ing season. Fruit growers are discharging
their hands and the fruit industry has re-
ceived blow from which 1t cannot recover
for several years. The prospects for grain
are discouraging.
Wheat needs moisture and the crop will
be light If rains are not forthcoming. Heavy
north winds have absorbed what moisture
there was in the soil.
WORSE THAN FROST
SACRAMENTO, March 22-.The frost
was not severe here this morning. owing
to the prevalence of a strong dry wind from
the north. 1t seems to be an open question
as to which has the worst effect on crops,
the frost or the dry winds. But while the
latter prevail the frost is held back There
is no doubt that all crops, fruit. grain and
vegetables, have suffered severely the past
week from frost and north winds.
NO FRUIT LEFT
FRESNO, March 22-Reports vary re-
garding the damage done by frost in this
locality. but the facts, summed up in a
general way, make 1t q certainty that the
bulk of the apricot, nectarine and almond
crop has been destroyed. while peaches Of
some varieties are badly damaged, and
others are but little hurt. Pears, apples
and prunes seem to be hurt but little.
0LEAM OF t1OfE
SAN JOSE, March 22.-The orchardists
and farmers Of this locality still enter
tain hopes for crops, although the weather
has not been the best desired. According
to late reports from different parts Of the
county no fruit seems to have been Affect
ed by recent frosts excepting apricots, and
the damage to them has been slight and
only In low localities. Moderate showers
during the next three. weeks will insure
good average crops.
NOT YET HARMED
SAN DIEGO, March 22.-Frost predic-
tions have not been verified here, and no
damage is reported.
PRICES GOING sKYWARD
SAN FRANCISCO, March 22-Today $2S
a ton was offered<and refused for choice
wheat hay. This is the highest price that
the forage has reached in California since
March, 1888.
Feed barley is also growing scarce, and
country orders for purchases have sent
prices away up this week.
At the beginning Of December quotations
were from 021h to s6 cents. Since then and
until Saturday there was . steady climb,