The herald., 1898-01-05

eation Of orchards ana aifaIfA aslds, be.
1 aides inten1lfying the effects % IN COM
/ tinued drought Pasture ana xeed a
getting scarce and some stock y dy1nE
| In the northwest sections on account Of
short feed and cold weather. P1owing
ana general farming operations are
practically at q stand still from lack Of
rain which IL badly needed for all pur-
| poses
| The weather and crop conditions OF
| the years Just closed are briefly reviewed
as follows: The temperature and rain
fall the first part Of the season were de-
| ficient, but while the rains were SLOW
the average they fell at opportune times
in a gentle manner 80 that not a drop
was lost. The cool weather retarded
early ripening of deciduous fruits. which
later under the influence OF warm sun
shine and clear skies matured fast and
yielded we'll except prunes. pears. ap-
pies and some kinds of plums which
were short crops. prunes being failure
| in many places. The lack Of rain In the
early spring affected upland grain but
the valley crop turned out above an
average yield. Frequent morning fogs
in the coast sections were beneficial to
beans which yielded an average crop;
some slight damage was done by early
October rains. Harvesting and hay
making progressed under favorable con-
ditions as there were no late rains to re-
tard work nor affect the crop when cut.
The work of curing deciduous fruits
proceeded under general favorable
circumstances; the crop turned out to
be large and of fine quality. Raisin
grapes matured late; early October rains
caught some late fruit out drying and
In some places raisins were caught in
the trays but as general storm warnings
of the weather bureau were widely dis
seminated and needed, the damage was
not material, particularly as the rain
was followed by clear, bright skies and
drying northerly winds. Oranges began
to color and ripen earlier than usual
which enabled growers to put them on
the market ahead of the usual time.
Fine rains in october gave promise OF a
propitious season, blowing and seeding
progressed favorably but during No
vember and December the rainfall was
very deficient and at the close of the
year the early sown grain is suffering
from lack of moisture. pasture is drying
irrigation of orchards is generally neces-
sary and general farm work is about at
stand still. Light frosts occurred
early in November in low grounds but
no damage resulted. These were fol-
lowed during the first week in December
by a cold wave which swept over South
ern California but without damage. ex-
cept to tender vegetation in low, ex-
posed places, as brisk winds modified
the effects of the low temperature. A
second, and a very severe cold wave, oc-
CURED towards the close of the month,
which was noted for its long continu-
ance and low temperature but as con-
siderable wind prevailed during the
cold period and artificial means were
taken to protect orchards, under the
advice of the weather bureau officials,
the damage was comparatively slight
and was confined to low exposed grounds
where the young growth Of citrus trees
was nipped and some fruit frosted.
Vegetables and such tender growth suf-
fered pretty badly In exposed localities.
The foothill sections escaped damaging
frosts, in fact in many of these localities
no frost occurred.
WEEKLY REPORTsS-sANL LUIS
OBISPO
Stock is dying from short feed and
cold; citrus fruits were not injured by
the frosts. Highest temperature 50 de-
grees, lowest 30 degrees.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Carpinteria = Highest temperature
during the week 70, lowest Al degrees.
VENTURA COUNTY
Barsdale-very hot dry weather past
week has visibly affected citrus or
chards so that many are irrigating, also
alfalfa fields. Rain is badly needed.
West Saticoy-Weather been very
warm with drying northerly winds.
Sunday was cooler with some indica-
tions of rain.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Los Angeles City-Weather was I'M
seasonably warm and broke the record
for the third decade of December for
twenty years. Drying winds prevailed.
Highest temperature SO, lowest 4S de-
grees.
South Los Angeles-The weather has
been moderate since the cold wave
passed.; clear and sunshiny during the
day. Highest temperature rs, lowest 40
degrees.
West Palmdale-Highest temperature
during the week 81, lowest "a degrees.
La Canada--Unusually warm dry
weather prevailed; orcahrdists continue
to irrigate citrus trees. Oranges are in
prime condition. Flowing retarded by
lack of rain. Highest temperature rs
lowest 43 degrees.
Azusa-The past was another dry
week; rain is badly needed. For the
most part absolutely no damage done by
the late frosts and in Isolated spots only,
aggregating a very few acres where
damage was done. Highest tempera-
ture IS, lowest 40 degrees.
Pomona-Rain is much needed to en-
able farmers to pillow. Developments to
date confirm the report of very little
damage by the December frosts. Lemons
show some but not a great deal of in
jury; in some orchards no damage is
discernable.
Long Beach-Weather was clear with
light northerly winds. Highest tenn
perature "a, lowest AZ degrees.
Artesia-Weather for the past week
was warm and dry; there are no signs OF
rain; pasture and feed are getting
scarce. Highest temperature SS, lowest
80 degrees.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY