The San Francisco call., 1898-05-16
FALL OF RAIN
 WAS GENERAL San Joaquin Valley Fields Receive a Tardy
 Drenching.
DOwnpour Too Late to Save Crops and Damage Is
 Reported.
In Other Sections of the State tho Precipitation Proves of Great
 Benefit
Special Dispatch to The Call.

FRESNO, May 15-Rain fell here last night, beginning shortly after mid night and continuing until dawn. The precipitation, according to the omclal report of the weather bureau, amount ed to .52 of an inch. During the day ln- termittent showers occurred ana lnol- cations are for more rain tonight. The downpour at this time was most unex- pected. and the general belief is that It will do much damage. Farmers mad cut their wheat crops for hay Tnls has been ruined and alfalfa Is also damaged. The effect on the raisin crop Is not definitely known, but 1t IS be- heved that the vines have suHered con- sfderably. The first crop of ra1slns Will be less than was expected, on account of the rain. Should frost follow the damage will be great.
 STOCKTON, May 15.-Eighty-elght- hundredths of an inch of rain fell Tn this part of the San Joaquin Vally De- tween sundown last evening and o'clock this morning. It would nave been million-d dollar rain had IL come six weeks ago. The downpour was slow and steady. It is believed that as 1t Is now the rain will work positive injury especially where hay has been cut and lies in the fields This was the heavi- est May storm on record for this sec ton.
 TULARE, May 15.-Fifty-two-h hun dredths of an inch of rain fell here last night. It comes too late to save grain, but will do great good to alfalfa fields, will start the wild feed and assist young trees and vines. Ditch water was very scarce and orchards and vine yards were suff ring. Sumner crops of corn and sorghum will be greatly benefited Tulare will have hay to ex- port, a full crop of grapes, small crop of prunes and more than enough peach- es for home consumption. The 1ndica- tions are that there will be more rain tonight.
 SANTA BARBARA, May 15.-The heaviest rain storm of the season visit ed this place yesterday. Rain began falling in the afternoon. continuing all night until daylight to-day. It was steady, heavy downpour. The preclpl- tation amounted to 1.25 inches. The rain will help the corn and bean crops materially.
 LOS OLIVOS, May 15.-The heaviest rain of the season has been falling since yesterday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock. It comes to,, late to be of any benefit ex- cept to some fruits and small acreage of summer crops.
 LOS ANGELES, May 15.-Rain com nenC6O IdlllHS dDOuS liAohie AehoS night and continued until 10 o'clock to- day, 1.46 of an inch falling altogether: The rain Is valuable in that 1t will i'll the storage reservoirs, but it has dam aged considerable hay, which the farm CTS were very late in cutting this year. The rain comes too late to help the fruit crop. So heavy rain at this time Of year is exceptional here. It was gen. eral over Southern California.
 UENTITRA May 15-IaSt night Ven tura County was visited by heavy rainfall-at Ventura, 1.50 inches; Ojat Valley, 2; Wheelers Canyon, 2.25: Santa Paula, 150; Oxnard, 1.25; Somis, O.S5. Great good to hay, beets and fruit will result The weather Is still unsettled and rain indications are excellent.
 SAN DIEGO, May 15.-Rain began falling here about 1 o'clock this after rocn. and up to o'clock the precipita- tion was IS of an inch. In the country, however, the storm was much heavier. The rain comes to late to be of benefit to grain, but in some localities 1t will help the late sown.