The herald., 1898-01-10
BUT PRECIPITATION RATHER
SCANTY
Spring Rains Will Still Enable the
Farmers Of the State to Harvest
Good Crops
Associated Press Special Wire

SACRAMENTO, Cal. Jan. 9.-There
was a couple Of hours rain here last
evening followed by northwest wind
which rapidly evaporated that which
had not soaked into the ground as 1t
fell. While there was no serious oom-
plant in this vicinity of a lack Of moist
ure, still the rain of last nightmust nave
been very welcome to the farmers on
high ground, Of which there is much In
this county. The bottom lands did not
need 1t. The protracted cold weather
with severe frosts, has done more than
anything else toward retardlng growing
crops, but there have been no reports OF
injury thereby. Some grain 10 a couple
Of inches above ground already and with
warmer weather and warm rains rapid
growth will be made.
Monterey-Except slight downpour
on Thursday night and a sprinkle last
night no rain has fallen here for over a
month. The drought, coupled with
heavy frosts during the last three weeks.
Is likely to seriously damage cereals, as
well as fruit and garden truck.
San Jose.-The rainfall, of the past
week has had very beneficial effect
upon the crops Of this valley. The long
dry season had dried and hardened the
ground and the grain sown In December
had not obtained q start. Now 1t will
sprout and grow. and IL the spring con-
ditions should be favorable, everything
will turn out we'll for the farmers. There
is considerable plowing yet to be done
in the valley and it will now be pushed
rapidly forward. A few moro showers
In January will be sufficient for the ear
ly setting of the grain. but what 10 of
the greatest Importance Is the spring
rains. Should these be plentiful there
wfll be no crop failure in the Santa
CLARA valley. The fruit trees are look
fng well; not much rain is needed for
them until February or March. The
SUBMITS Of the mountains ON either side
of the valley are now covered with snow,
an Indication that more rain will follow
soon.
Modesto.-Farmers living west Of this
place report fall of snow along the
San Joaquin river this afternoon, the
storm moving from northwest to south
west, passing within three miles of Mo-
desto. At Paradise Gardens N. E. De-
yoe reports the fall of snow heavy
enough to make the ground white.
Santa Cruz.-Rain and hail have al
ternately fallen all the afternoon.
Pacific Grove.-Heavy rain began fall
ing at noon today throughout this en-
tire section. The rain is likely to con-
tinue all night.
Stockholm little rain fell this after
noon, but ceased inside Of half-hour.
There ives no rainfall of any amount
last night. The crops have only been
temporarily benefited by what rain has
fallen. The sky remains cloudy and
the farmers hope for a further precipita-
tion.
San Diego.-Rain has fallen at inter-
walls during the day, and it is cloudy,
with frequent showers, tonight. The
precipitation up to s p. m. was .39 of an
inch. making 1.9 inches for the season.
Advfces from the interior indicate that
the country has Jared much BETTE. than
the city. While the rain has been rather
light both north and south, there is a
broad belt to the eastward, taking in Ell
Cajon valley, that has received a good
soaking. Morena reports the largest
rainfall, 1.45 inches, but from half an
inch to an inch has fallen at other places
Some of the most productive districts in
the county are included in the area COW
cred by the storm. and from such reports
as have come in there seems no question
that the downpour has been heavy
enough to prove blessing to the farm
ers. Four-fifths of the grain acreage in
this county has been sown. Much Of it
has not yet sprouted. It Is believed that
the present storm may save the crop.