The San Francisco call., 1898-03-26
RAIN BLESSES
 THE FARMER And the Farmer, With Full Heart, Blesses
 the Rain. Pluvian Downpour Revives Blighted Verdure in
 Many Field. Reports From Scattered Sections Give Hope of General
 Rainfall.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SALINAS, March 25.-After a long, dry, cold spell of three weeks rain be- gan falling at o'clock this morning and continues with prospects of an all- night storm. The precipitation up to o'clock tonight was about three quarters of an inch. The doWnpour will help this vicinity considerable and aid In saving an immense amount of grain which was fast being killed by the cold and drought. The Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountains are covered with snow. Reports received from as far south as Santa Margarita are to the effect that the storm is general over the Salinas Valley. The hopes of the farmers are raised and all are jubilant over the relief afforded by the rainfall.
 SANTA CRUZ, March 25.-Rain com menced falling early this morning and continued the entire day. It came just at the right time and farmers are jubi lant. The severe north wind of several days ago had done its harmful work, but the rain to-day is just what Is needed for grain and feed.
 HANFORD, March 25.-Ratn began falling at o'clock, and a steady light fall continues.
 STOCKTON, March 25.-Rain set in al 6 o'clock this morning throughout San Joaquin County and continued up to 10 o'clock, when it ceased, though there are prospects of continued show CTS. The rainfall varied from a drizzle to a quarter of an inch. In Stockton 16 of an inch fell. Telephone messages this morning from various points in San Joaquin County and vicinity indi- cate that there is no question that apricots, almonds and other early fruit were almost totally destroyed by the frost Vegetables have been set back somewhat, but not badly damaged, and the prospects are that with couple more showers the grain yield will be large.
 SAN JOSE, March 25.-It commenced raining here about s o'clock this morn ing and up to noon one-third of an inch had fallen. The doWnpour is well comed with great joy by the farmers, the high winds of the past few days having dried out the ground to such an extent that irrigation would soon De necessary. The prospects for heavy and continued downpOur are bright. The frosts of the last few days about ruined apricots in this county. April cots turned black and are a total loss. One man with seventy-five acres of fruit offered to sell his crop for $10. Grain in Ignacio Valley will be de- stroyed unless there is rain soon. The crops in the San Ramon hills are look
  have given up hope.
 JACKSONVILLE, March 25.-It con- menced raining here this morning and there was a heavy downpour all day, with indications of more tonight This will enable many to plant beets.
 The rain comes in very good time, as stock was suffering from continual frosts and dry weather.
 CARSON, March 25.-Snowstorms prevail throughout the western portion of the State. It is hoped they will con- tinue long enough to stock the noun tains well with snow and avert drought next summer, which has seemed inevitable for the past month or so There have been few storms during the winter, and farmers in the valleys, especially Mason Valley, one of the most important agricultural re- gions of the State, have hesitated about seeding ground for next season. April snow melts rapidly and does not pack on the mountains, and Nevada may ex- perience a pronounced drought.
 VISALIA, March 25.-Rain com menced falling this afternoon and will probably continue all night. The fall up to 6 o'clock was 20 of an inch. The rain will save late-sown grain. It Is reported from the Visalia Fruit and Land Company's orchard north of here that the entire crop of the 440-acre or chard was destroyed by the recent frostS.
 FRESNO, March 25.-Welcome rain fell at 2 o'clock this afternoon. There is still hope of a, good grain crop in this county if enough late rain falls. The precipitation changed from heavy showers to a drizzling downfall. Up to o'clock .15 of an inch fell, which is a good precipitation for three hours at this time of the year. Reports received from different parts of the county are all to the effect that grain has not yet suffered, but rain is necessary within a few days at the longest, and the sooner the better. The winter-sown grain is three or four inches above the ground, while summer fallow wheat is still higher Heavy winds last week dried the ground, and had the rain not fallen to-day the grain would begin to show the effects of the wind and drought soon. The prospects for showers through the night are very good.
 TULARE, March 25.-Rain has fallen here steadily since o'clock this after noon. Indications are favorable for a continuation of the storm. It will save some grain and produce abundant feed for stock. The outlook is much im- proved.
 SANTA BARBARA, March 25.-Rain began falling here at D. m. and indi- cations point to the heaviest precipita- tion of the season. A good rain now will insure fair hay crop Hay is quoted here at $20 a ton Dealers are