The herald., 1898-02-09
SUMMARY
WEATHER AND CROPS
Conditions Prevailing Throughout
Southern California

Southern California
Following is TIE United States depart
ment of agriculture climate and crop SER
vice weather bureau weekly crop bulletin
for Southern California:
The protracted dry weather continued
the greater portion of the past week, caus-
ing a general suspension of farming op-
erations on account of the dryness of the
soil. Grain made but slow growth, and
the scarcity of feed is becoming serious
matter to cattle and sheep men. Irriga-
tion of orchards continued, both to furnish
water for the trees and to fill the soil with
moisture in case the dry weather should
continue; irrigation water continues to be
abundant The weather was warm and
dry until the close of the week, when
cloudy, threatening weather set in, with
rains commencing to fall Sunday, which
have the appearance of general storm.
Should the storm, which continues at the
close of this report, give several inches OF
rainfall, immense benefit will result, not
only to vegetation, but in restoring conf
dence in the farming outlook. Pruning
orchards and vineyards is progressing IA
vorably.
CORRESPONDENTS REPORTS
San Luis Obispo-The general weather
conditions for the past week were favora-
BILE; there was a rainfall amounting to IL
of an inch.
VENTURA COUNTY
Bardsdale-Most of the week was warm
and dry, but it closed with misty weather
on the 9Th and on the 7th, with some pros
poets of rain. There is but little grain sown
yet.
West Saticoy-The warm weather of the
fore part of the week was good for barley,
which, however, needed rain. Fortunately
this came on the 9Th and 7th, and for the
storm so far quite half an inch has fallen,
with indication of more.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Los Angeles City-Warmer, very dry
| weather prevailed the past week until
Sunday, when rain began falling, which
continues at the close of this report. I'm
mense benefit would result should it give
several inches of water.
West Palmdale-Continued dry weather;
cloudy on the 6th
Verdugo-Farming operations are al
most suspended on account of the dryness
of the soil. Late sown barley is generally
up, but is making slow growth. The storm
now commenced, should 1T result in two
or three inches of rainfall, will be of i'm
mense benefit to farmers and fruit grow
ers. But small portion OF the orange
crop has been picked.
Palms-The weather is very dry; farm
ers have stopped plowing; sown grain
coming up, but not growing, on account
Of the cold weather. The outlook for farm
ers is not encouraging; feed getting scarce.
Artesia-The past week was a little
warmer and less windy. Friday night was
foggy.. Sunday was cloudy most of the
day, with traces of rain. Vegetation con-
look green. The weather was favorable
for farming operations.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
North Ontario-The rain for the storm
up to noon Monday was .33 of an inch,
making 6S7 inches for the season. Barley
is mostly all sown; it has not suffered from
dry weather.
ORANGE COUNTY
Tustin--The weather was fair and warm
er; cattle and sheep men are running short
of feed; portion of the grain land is
beginning to need rain; much irrigation Is
being done to fill the ground with water
in event the dry weather continues. Pres
ent indications favor rain. Orange ship
ments continue.
Santa Ana-The weather was fair, with
cool wind at times. Rain is needed for
pasture and grain. Orchards are well sup
piled with irrigation water Deciduous
trees are doing well.
Orange-The weather during the past
week was moderate, becoming cloudy to-
wards the close, with every prospect, at
blowing steady from the southeast, with
showers.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
San Diego City-The past week was near
ly counterpart of the previous one, ex-
cept it was somewhat warmer the latter
portion. The slight increase in tempera-
ture has materially benefited citrus fruits,
especially oranges, which are now of ex-
cellent flavor and size. No rain fell dur
t,,rs 4l1< oh hn hCat Of
ing winds and the prevalence of night
fogs rendered former frequent irrigations
unnecessary.
Santee-El Cajon-The weather condi-
tions were about normal during the past
week; somewhat cooler and threatening,
but no rain yet. The ground, however, is in
good condition for plowing and cultivat-
Ling Grain is up nicely, but it is making
VERY slow growth. Pruning of orchards
and vineyards is well advanced.
THE STATE AT LARGE
The following is summary of the crop
bulletin issued by the weather bureau for
| the week ending February 7th:
The long-continued dry spell has been
broken this week by general rains of mod
crate intensity. Farmers are relieved of
their anxiety, and reports are generally
| favorable. Showers occurred in the north
| ern portion of the state in the beginning of
the week, but were insufficient in amount
| and limited in area. Saturday night. Sun
| day and Monday morning rain fell gen.
orally in the state, and except in the ex-
| treme southern portion of the state the
| rainfall was heavy For the week the rain
| fall exceeds the normal by more than one
| inch in the upper portion of the SacrS-
mento valley, decreasing southwark. In
the San Joaquin valley the rainfall is
also above the normal Along the central
coast and south of the Tehachapi the rain
| fall is much below the normal.
Hay and grain will be greatly helped by
the rain. Stock has suffered, however