The record-union., 1898-02-25
A Generous DoWnpour Of Rain
Throughout the State,
Except In the Extreme Southern Counties
Where the Fall Was Light.
Gives Assurance of Good Crops
From Merced Northward to the
State Line-San Joaquin County
Gets the Most Welcome Drench-
ing in Years.

GetS the Most welcome Orencn-
ing in Years.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 24-Reports
from all parts of the State indicate that
a general rain has fallen during the
past twenty-four hours except in the
extreme southern portion of the State,
TO the great benefit of the growing
crops which had been suffering from
the long continued drought. Owners of
flocks and herds are much encouraged.
for the pasturage had become very
bare, and fruit growers are particu-
larly pleased with the outlook for a ia
vorabIe season.
Speaking of the crop condition this
morning, w. II. Mills of the Central
Pacific Company said: THE deposit
of snow on the mountains is satisfac-
tory. guaranteeing a good stage of the
rivers during next year. The rain in
sures crops from Merced northward TO
the State line. The summer fallow has
been Kept in good condition. The winter
sown grain is barely up. The set Is
very light, but this rain will do much
to bring it out. 1t Will require but lit
tie more rain this season to guarantee
good crops on all summer falloWed land
north of Stockton In some portions
of the State. notably the coast valley
south of Monterrey, the wheat came up
and died on the ground. 1t is too late
to reseed the ground. II has not rained
any in the last twenty four hours IL
the Salinas Valley. The crops in So
noma and Mendocino Counties never
looked better at this season of the year
than now"
A MOST WELCOME RAIN.
STOCKTON, Feb. 24-This section
was visited this afternoon by the most
welcome rain it has known in years.
After missing the last showers which
reached San Francisco and the coast,
Stockton and San Joaquin County We're
exceedingly anxious for the Gownpour.
Reports say that the rain was general
over the entire county, and extended
for some distance up the valley. The
fall here was 30 of an inch, making
4.S3 inches for the season, against 9.l9
inches last season. The indications are
for other showers before morning
Upon the severity of this storm de-
pends much. The crops are in splendid
condition at present, and should two
or three inches precipitation result
from this storm, the harvest of grain
in this county will be immense. This
fact as conceded by old famers and
grain men throughout the county. Up
to now there has been considerable anX-
iety among raisers of wheat. but the
present outlook for a protracted storm
has given things a much brighter as
pect.
T. A ~ L
PATED.
SAN JOSE, Feb. 24-It is still rain
ing, and the valley is rejoicing in the
best soaking it has had since the winter
opened. The rain began TO fall at
800 this morning, and ceased tenn
porarily at nightfall, to begin again
shortly after midnight. Total for the
storm, 80 of an inch; for the season,
4.9S. There is but one feeling among
the orchardists and farmers, and that
is, that all fear of failure has been
dissipated. With few more showers,
which are likely to come in March. the
growing crops will receive all the slim
ulus they need. The success of the
fruit crop is already assured though in
some sections there may be a lack of
water for irrigation. But in these
SdiIlS ClStIlclS lHcIe nave DttH SOOd
yields without the extra wetting
ANOTHER DOWNPOUR NEEDED.
FRESNO, Feb 24.-All indications
have been favorable for a good rain
during the past tWentyfour hours, but
only 90 Of an inch has fallen. The
grain crop is badly in need of another
heavy downpour, and if it does not come
soon, all is off for the present year ex-
cept in the sub-irrigated districts. Most
of the grain is SO late in starting that
plenty of rain is necessary TO make a
crop. Sheep and cattlemen have not
been complaining since the last rain,
which started the feed and the present
storm will assure all of plenty of feed
for their stock.
LIGHT RAIN AT LOS ANGELES.
LOS ANGELES, Feb PA light
rain commenced falling throughout
Southern California at & o'clock this
evening. and While the precipitation up
to midnight was hardly more than SUI
fcient to lay the dust, the farmers are
encouraged, as the sky is still heavily
clouded. Grain and all vegetation Is
suffering for the want of a thorough
soaking. The need for heavy down.
pour is very great, and it is an open
question whether or not it is not now too
late for early sown grain to derive much
benefit, even if copious rains come.
Supplies of water for irrigation and do
mestic purposes are very low. The hay
crop VIII be light, even with plenty of
rain now and grain crops have suffered.
Fruit will be backward
WATER SCARCE IN SAN DIEGO
COTrNTY
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 24.--The weather
conditions in San Diego County are
much better in the foothill valleys of the
county than on the coast. The total
rainfall in San Diego to date is 317
inches, as against 9.0S inches last year
at this time Only six hundredths of an
inch of rain has fallen here this month
and although it is cloudy here, there is
no wind. and prospects are not favor
able for more than showers tonight.
The grain crop in valleys twenty miles
from the coast is about half the average
crop. The principal anxiety is lack of
water for irrigating and city supply next
summer, as reservoirs are all very low in
this section, and unless rains come Will
not last the season out
BEST RAIN OF THE SEASON.
SANTA ROSA, Feb. 24-Sonoma
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