The record-union., 1898-02-06
VIII Prove Of GTeai Benefit to Farmers
and Fruit-GroWers.
Indications Point to an Abundant
Yield of Cereals in Santa Clara,
Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Yolo
and Other Northern Counties
The South Portion of the State
Also Anticipates a Year of
Prosperity.

mat the rain winch began ills IIlOIA-
ing and continues to fall is general
throughout the State. 1t will prove OF
great benefit, and in nearly every case
will save the farmers and fruit-groW-
ers from the great loss the threatened
dry season would have occasioned. In
Santa Clara, Sacramento, Santa cruz,
Yolo and other of the northern coun-
ties an abundant yield of cereals will be
assured with few inches more OF rain,
and the indications now are that the
desired quantity will be forthcoming.
The recent spells of cold weather SO
retarded the budding of fruit trees that
the orchards have not as yet suffered
much injury. In San joaquin, Fresno
and Central California generally the
present outlook is a little less promis-
ing, but in every place the rain will do
good. The southern portion Of the
State sends words of cheer from fields
and vineyards, and the anticipation
now is for year of prosperity.
STOCKTON, Feb. Drain COM
menced in light fall about noon to-
day, and continued most of the time
until evening, when about $3.50 o'clock
what appeared to be a steady doWnpour
has set in. Reports from the valley
are that the rain was quite general, but
nowhere heavy. Lodi had a good sup
ply. MERGED was getting quite duck
ing late in the afternoon. There has
also been a generous though not album
datn fall in the foothills to the east OF
Stockton. In the immediate vicinity
of Stockton grain was not yet suffering
for moisture, though it Will not come
an1iss. Further up the valley, how
ever, the rain was wanted badly, and
ON the sand, lands of the west side there
is much grain which even a bounteous
supply of rain will not resuscitate.
SAN JOSE, Feb. 5.-There is every
prospect tonight of a good rainfall. 1t
has been showering at intervals since
6 O'clock, and the sky is still cloudy,
with wind from the south. Up to date
neither the grain nor the orchards have
suffered though failure in the former
case will be certain unless the rains
come soon. The heavy and continued
frosts of the past month have been
blessing to the fruit trees, as it has
kept back the buds. With an ordi-
nary amount of rain this spring, the
fruit crop this season must be large.
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 5. - Generally
speaking, crop prospects In this county
are better than the average at this time
Of the season. In this city the rainfall
to date is 81. In some parts of the
county it is considerably more. But al
though the totals are small the precipi-
tation has come al the right times to be
of most service. There has been
large increase in the area of both bar
ley and wheat, and blowing and seeding
is nearly completed. With a fair
amount of rain we'll distributed during
the remainder of the season, there Will
be ample crops.
FRESNO, Feb. 5.-Showers began
falling here at o'clock this evening,
and as the wind is still blowing from
the south it is hoped that a good soak
ing rain will follow. Unless rain comes
in abundance soon, there will be no
grain produced on the unirrigated land
in the San Joaquin Valley, with the
possible exception Of summer fallow,
which is still looking Well
SANTA ROSA, Feb. 5.-Rain began
falling this forenoon, and has contin-
ued ever since. The rainfall this sea-
SON is now 101a inches. At the same
time last year 1t was nearly 10 inches.
While the rain was very acceptable, no
crops are suffering from lack of moist
ure
SANTA CRUZ, Feb. "a heavy rain
is falling this evening. 1t will do
much good to growing crops.
WOODLAND, Feb. 5-The long dry
and cold spell seems to be over. Show
ers began at noon, and rain is falling
copiously this evening. Everybody is
encouraged by the outlook for a heavy
storm. A large area is seeded Six
inches of rain will insure the biggest
crop ever harvested in Yolo County.
SONoMA, Feb. 5.-One of the most
beneficial rains that this valley has had
for a long time commenced to fall early
to-day. and has continued throughout
the afternoon, saturating the ground
Farmers and dairymen are rejoicing,
and all predict better times in conse-
quence The fruit outlook is good The
cold weather Of the past two months
has kept the buds back and DESTROYED
orchard pests.
TULARE, Feb. 5.--Rain commenced
falling about 8 O'Clock to-day, and is
still coming down. It Is warm. and
the outlook is favorable for a good
storm.