The herald., 1898-04-27
WEATHER AND CROPS
Conditions Prevailing Throughout
Southern California


Following is the United States depart
ment Of agriculture climate and crop SER
vice, weather bureau, weekly crop bulletin
for Southern California:
Warm. dry weather continued during the
past week, closing with hot wave which ict.
intensified the i'll effects of the prevailing
drought. The hot winds at the close OF
the week destroyed all hope of making hay
or grain, except in few favored localities,
where light crop of hay is being bel, t. cut; ~ ~
the hot, dry winds on fruit, but IT IS be-
lieved that the tendency will be to still fur
ther reduce the crop OF deciduous fruit
which, In spite of the injury from frost,
gives indication at presnt of a moderately
fair yield. Prunes are dropping already In
some places. Sugar beets have been seri-
ously injured by the hot winds. Orange
trees are reported to be full of bloom,
which seems to be setting well; irrigating
orchards continues, and streams are keep
ing up we'll. But few reports have been
received for this bulletin, on account OF
farming operations being practically at a
standstlll, owing to the drought, and farm
|ers having little If anything to report.
Extracts from correspondents reports by
counties:
San Luis Obispo
There Is nothing to report, except crops
are in a worse condition than the week
previous.
Ventura County
West Saticoy-Crops are generally in the
same condition as heretofore reported.
Bardsdale-Hot easterly winds blew most
of the time, cooking everything and max
ing the drought worse.
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles City-No material change
occurred in the weather conditions until
the close of the week, when hot wave set
in, which, 1t is feared, will injure young
fruit. A sprinkling rain fell on the morn
inc Of the 9th which too light for Ell =
ther good or harm.
Verdugo-Grain fields are generally being
used for pasture.
Artesia-Sugar beets have been seriously
hurt by wind.
Pomona-The grain crop amounts tc
nothing, and hay on uplands to very little
San Bernardino County
Redlands-The continued hot, dry wealth
| err has destroyed all hope of making hay
| or grain from barley.
Orange County
Westminster-The weather was unfavor
able for growing vegetation on account o
| hot drying winds during the day and coo
nights. The beet sugar crop is a failure
| northers having cut down the few tha
| were planted. A large acreage will b,
| planted to celery, In spite of the heavy
| losses last season.
San Diego County
San Diego City-The crop conditions were
week, and practically remain unchanged.
Esconddo-The weather continued dry
and warm; haying is in progress. and the
yield in most places is better than antici
pated.
Santee-El Cajon-Hay is being cut bu
it is slim harvest when aprons have tt
be used to catch it as it falls behind the
sickle. Fruit prospects are still tine.
GEORGE E. FRANKLIN,
Local Forecast Official, Weather Bureau
The State at Large
SAN FRANCISCO, April 26.-The follow.
ing is a summary of the weather bureaus
bulletin of the crop and climatic condi
tions throughout the state for the weel
ending April 25
The drouth continues in California. Like
the preceding week, the total rainfall re-
ported from the various weather oureal
at Eureka. The weekly deficiency varies
from eight-tenths of an inch at Eureka tt
a quarter of an inch at Fresno and Los
Angeles. At Sacramento the weekly def
cheney is half an inch. The absence Of
even moderate late spring rains complete:
the damage done earlier in the season.
In the interior of the state the tempera
ture has averaged to degrees above the
normal. Along the central and northern
coasts 1t has been about normal, and r
Southern California about degrees above
the normal As previously reported, grair
and hay show the effects Of the continued
dry weather, and in most sections are be-
yond recovery 1t has been necessary ii
the grazing sections Of the lower coast tc
ship away cattle and horses. Fruit is do
ing fairly well. but orchards must be irri
gated. In the Santa Clara valley the
pumps are going night and day. Grapes are
making good growth. Thrips are reported
near Fresno. Cherries are ripening rap
idly. Prunes promise well and pears are
doing finely.