The record-union., 1899-03-09


hopeful.
SANTA CRUZ, March S.-A light rain
is falling this evening, with prospects
for heavy showers before morning.
UKlAH, March S.-To-days rain
amounted to one-third of an inch. The
crops in the valleys are looking well,
but on the uplands more rain is needed
for pasrurage. The wells and streams
are much lower than usual.
STOCKTON, March S.-A light rain
commenced falling here this evening
about O'Clock, though the universal
verdlct was that it was not as heavy
as the people would like Farmers say
that in this immediate vicinity the
public mind needs the rain more than
the wheat. The latter could go ten
days or two weeks yet, but the people
are at the worrying point. With a
reasonable amount of rain from now
to the end of the season the San Joa-
gum crop will be heavy. What pasture
land there is in the county will be
greatly helped by the fall of tonight
GLOOMY OUTLOOK IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA.
LOS ANGELES, March 8. = Unless
generous rains fall in Southern Califor-
MIA within week the crops will be a
total failure. The last rainfall oc-
CURED on February I'D, making the
total precipitation for the season in
Los Angeles County 2.91 inches. The
average rainfall up to and including
March Sth for period of twenty years
has been 1925 inches. 1t will therefore
be seen that the precipitation for this
season to date is about ten inches less
than the average. The Weather Bu-
reau tonight reports heavy rain clouds
moving in from the ocean, which seems
to indicate a storm at sea. Whether
they will bring the much-needed moist
ure is difficult to predict.
The crop conditions in the several
counties of Southern California, as col
lected by the Associated Press, are as
follows:
Los Angeles County-Grain and hay
are seriously affected by the dry
weather and desert winds, and there
is at present no Indication of rain. In
the lowlands, however, the grain is
standing the drought remarkably well.
In some localities farmers are turning
their stock into the grain fields, as hay
is almost gone About two inches of
rain is needed to insure even partial
crop.
San Bernardino County-The weather
conditions are warm and dry. Rain
must come soon to save the grain crop,
though it is still looking fairly we'll
under the circumstances. Peaches and
apricots are blooming. The orange crop
is pretty well picked and shipped.
Ventura County-Farmers are very
I. Ion r,1o y,fi
gar-beets Some of the early planted
beets are up: some have been covered
by drifting sand and will have to be
replanted Barley needs rain badly, and
drying east winds make the situation
worse.
Riverside County-Damp west wind
and heavy fog were a great benefit to
growing crops but nothing short of
good, soaking rain will insure grain
crop The irrigation season of 1899 has
about begun, and many orchardists are
making preparations to commence ir-
rigation. as the prospects for rain are
not encouraging.
Orange County-Drying east WINDS
have been frequent Irrigated crops
are doing well, and on dry land good
crops can vet be had if rain falls with
turning brown. Apricot trees are
we'll in old orchards Plums
and seeding peaches are also blossom
ing.
San Diego County = There Is prac-
tically no change in the crop condl-
lions. Although nearly one-third OF
the normal seasonal rainfall occurs
after the 1st of March, orchardists arf
ranchers are discouraged at the pros
pect of dry reservoirs and the expense
and uncertainty OF pumping from Wells.
Santa Barbara County Tonight the
are favorable for rain With
in a few days. II is greatly neeaed,
though there is no. suffering at present
Some light showers would mature
heavy crop; few early sown helos
are already being eat. feed on the
ranges is keeping well up. Two lncnes
of rain during the next two weeks VIII
give an abundant crop and prosper
Gus season.