The herald., 1898-03-17

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weather signs throughout long-con.
tinued dry spells predicted that the
storm would commence tonight. 1t was
remarked by quite number that rain
always falls on st. Patricks day. and
with that reminder and the signs of a
change in the air. people showed encour-
agement. The rain seems to be general
in this section, and is coming at time
when 1t Is most needed to make crops
Grain began to show the need of moist
ure, but no immediate danger was felt
If the storm now on continues as indi-
Gated, and usual showers come later, Sar
Joaquin will have a large yield of grain
| Hayward.-Two heavy frosts during
the past week have undoubtedly injured
the apricot crop in this valley, but to
what extent cannot be learned at pres
ent.
Martinez-Contra Costa county ex-
perienced the heaviest frost of the yeal
this morning. The loss is heavy. Fruit
buds were nipped and potatoes and to-
matoes killed.
Elmira.-A severe frost last night
caused considerable damage to early
fruits. Orchardists report apricots al
most total loss, but peaches and al
monds were not much injured. Showers
which fell today will probably lessen the
damage by frost. All grain is looking
well.
| Auburn.-Frosts here have done con-
siderable damage to fruit in this section
Plums, apricots and almonds are re-
ported badly damaged in a few places
Peaches were not hurt much, while the
injury to cherries, if any, cannot be es-
timated for several days. Grain is look
ing fine, particularly summer fallow.
! Colusa.-Frosts have destroyed nearly
three-quarters of the apricot crop in this
section. The trees, however, are very
heavily set, and with no more killing
frost will make from one-third to one
half of crop. Almonds and peaches are
also badly damaged. Prunes and pears
have not suffered yet, but need more
rain to mature what fruit is left. Or
chardists pay close attention to the
weather bureau reports, and when frost
is predicted set smudge fires. 1t is
cloudy, but there has been no rain today.
The grain crop looks well, but rain is
needed.
akersfield.-Heavy frosts for the past
two mornings have apparently ruined
| the prospects for the apricot crop, and
early peaches have suffered much. Late
| varieties will make a fair crop. The
prune crop has not been injured much
yet. Early corn and potatoes have been
cut down.
Eureka.-A heavy snow storm has been
raging in the adjacent mountains for
the last few days. Mail Carrier Hutch
ings met with an accident while en-
route from Bridgeville to this city, his
rig running off the gry6e in binding
snow storm and being buried in snow
drift. Through the instinct of his horses
ne found his way to the nearest settlers
place, where he secured a saddle horse
and brought the mail through to this
city. The operation of the stage line has
been discontinued until next Monday
Sonoma.-There was severe frost this
morning. Ice formed to the thickness of
a quarter of an inch. 1t is certain that
apricots We're injured, and peaches have
probably suffered also. Hay and grain
is looking fine in Sonoma valley, and a
big yield is anticipated.
Red Bluff-Red Bluff was visited by
light frost last night, but it did but little
damage. Nearly all the fruit trees are
in blossom, but the frost was SO light
that it will do no harm, except to the
more delicate fruits, such as peaches
and nectarines. The grain crop is look
ing well, but farmers are hoping for
rain soon. Feed is bounteous on the
hills.
Chico.-The cloudiness which prevailed
here last night undoubtedly saved this
section from a severe frost. The frost
of the previous night did considerable
damage to the apricot crop but up to the
present time it is not believed that other
fruits have been damaged to any extent.
This morning heavy snow visited the
mountains north and east of this place.
falling very low in the foothills. Rain
began failing here at o'clock this after
noon. Fruit growers are fearful lest
the weather should clear during the
night, which would surely precipitate a
disastrous freeze.
A report from Nina says that the april
cot and almond crops have been greatly
damaged.
Antioch.-Growing grain has suffered
little damage from frosts. for the reason
that there has not been enough rain to
bring it up so that it could feel the eff
fects of the frost. The fruit crop was not
badly hurt, although in some low places
some of it was nipped. Last night was
very cold. and ice formed in places. A
good rain is badly needed.
acaville.-Great injury was done by
frost last night. On the low lands april
cots will be a failure. On the high
lands no damage has been done. There
has been some injury to plums, but it is
not material. Up to the present time
everything has indicated a very large
crop. The loss is undoubtedly very
great. Peaches suffered no serious in
jury.
Napa.-There have been heavy frosts
for the last four days. Reports from
Union Station, Salvador Oak Knoll,
Truebody and Oakvile show that con-
siderable damage has been done to al
monds and apricots. Peaches have suf-
fered but little.
The damage in Browns valley and the
Fly school district is immateral. At
Johannesburg and in the Napa red
woods there was very little frost.
Lodi.-The prevailing hard frosts have
done considerable damage to fruit, kill
ing the buds in many cases. Peaches
apricots and prunes are hurt. The ear
liest varieties of tree fruit have been
set back the most. Hard winds have
also hurt fruit. However, the trees were
overloaded and needed thinning, so
probably a fair yield will result. Grain
has been hurt by dryi:lg northers. Rain
is badly needed. Watermelon and beet
sugar men will be in a bad way if rain