The San Francisco call., 1899-03-15
WEEPING SKIES END
THE DROUGHT PERIOD
Showers Fall Throughout the Central
and Northern Portions OF
California.

SALINAS. March 14-The clouds which have
been lowering over this vicinity ror tnf % PAST
caused downDour in several sections OF the
county. but in this immediate distr1ct the
Drecipitation so far has been very light. AT
i clock this afternoon it commenced orlz-
zling and kept it up until this evening, when
is NOT raining but is very threatening. The
wind is from the southeast and the barometer
is falling In other sections OF the county
however, the rainfall has been great benefit
At 10 O. clock tonight 1t rained at Bradley IN
the extreme southern end OF the cou6fy; put
did not continue long Reports from Chuaiar s,flr:
Gonzales, San Ardo and san Lucas snow ilght
showers, but Castroville, Pajaro and other sec
tions of the county have received almost al. an
inch Of rain The crops in all parts or the
county are not suffering yet, and it is said
that even if rain does not come for ten Gays
the ranchers will raise hay in this valley.
FRESNO March little barometer took a
sudden tumble here tonight, which is regarded
sc an indication that rain will fall in abund-
ance before morning. The sky IS clouded ana
there is every indication OF neavy a n,i,. 1oWn-
and shortly after / o'clock mist began to fall
It continued at intervals during the afternoon
slight as it was has had the effect of inspir-
ing hope in the hearts of the farmers ana al
are confident that sufficient rain will yet fall
% insiIre good crops. A heavy rain at this
time would do much toward saving the wheat
crop of the county th2usn ~ Is ,d W
too far gone to be materially benented. Sc
we're frost was announced lor this q InoIhlns.: III !.
but ii did not materialize 1t was Ihought tnat HI
the frost of few days ago would ln1ure the
fruit crop, but such did not prove TO be the
case The buds which were injured We're mostly
earIv and superhuous ones, except In the case
of apricots and peaches, where some little dam
aes eSAM y a9 DIEGO March 14-The local weather
office forecasts rain for Tomorrow, but at 10
clock tonight there were @ bs mo sgng yaTv OF
Grain farmers agree that the rain must come
very soon or crops viii be a IaiIure ffult ,1,
and grain are suffering badly from the lack
of rain. which is aggravated by drying winds.
IL, fd
Is unusually large and the keenest anxiety pre-
walls among farmers as to the outcome or the
weather officers predictions.
SACRAMENTO March 14.-Rain has fallen
here steadily since about o'clock this morn
ing. There have been no neaVs M tro5, tpe
dav and 1T lis still drizzling tonight with
strong indications of continuing. there mas
been good stiff wind, all day from the SOUTH
east The storm is a most welcome one, as
the farmers had become anxious over the rate
of their grain crops. and where irrigation was
SaasibIe plans were in progress. TO that. end,
However, the grain in this county nad not pc
gun to suffer for rain . though IL nab baa of bssn
normal one. This rain will do vast amount
OF good and with few more showers IN. MA April ri
excellent All fruits are doing well. There
have been no frosts severe enough to damage
the young fruit and most varieties VIII soon
san LUIS oBISPo. March 14.-A light rain
o'clock, and promises TO develop into a good
shower before morning. Should the. fall be
suffciently heavy 1t Will mean nnancldl SalVa-
tion for many farmers, stocknen and dairy
men in this section.
STOCKTON. March 1.-THE long expected
rain commenced falling this morning before
daylight and continued at intervals till late
tonight It was not heavy, but it came in such
quantities that the thirsty earth absorbed al
most every drop received. The precipitation
was very slight. as the gauge only, showed
reared to be at least .40s There has been &c
this month and $50 for the season, against 4.94
last year. San Joaquin County received more
than any other section in the valley, as Il;
fell at Tracy, 40 at Pennington and .27 al
Lodi, while reports from all other points show
various amounts between the lowest and high
est figures. Very little water fell at the upper
end of the valley. The wind continues from
the southeast, and light showers pass over the
city at intervals. The growing grain and feed
will be benefited to certain extent, but will
need more moisture to produce a crop in all
counties except San Joaquin.
SAN JOSE. March H.-There was a slight
sprinkle of rain during the early hours of the
morning. and about o'clock steady drizzle
commenced, which kept up during the greater
part of the day. While the necessity for rain
at this time is fully appreciated. 1t is said ny
many orchardists that If the rain should have
been delayed a few weeks longer the crops