The San Francisco call., 1899-03-17

OS AN(IELES, A1dICL ~ hC III
rectors of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association are
IL yet willing to engage in an ex-
pertinent to produce rain, not
feeling satisfied with the quantity
that has thus far been vouchsafed
in answer to the prayers made yes
terday. They have agreed to give
$500 toward paying the cost of an eX-
pertinent on lines laid down by Z. l..
CrandaIl, who on his return from San
Francisco reported to the directors
that he could get there 100000 pounds
of powder for 51a cents pound, and in
addition he had obtained from the
Southern Pacific 20 per cent discount
on the high freight rate usually
charged for carrying explosives in such
bulk
The association is willing to risk SoO0
toward paying for bombarding the
heavens, and propose, If the powder De
purchased and safely brought hither,
to discharge it without the use of bal
looms or eannons. a secluded ana lso-
lated spot will be chosen on the low
lands and there the 100, 900 pounds OF
exDlosive will be shot off in lots OF oO0o
pounds at a time. The jar is expected
to reach the rain clouds and bring to-
gether elements that will result In
downpour. If the first lot brings down
such a cIoudburst as to preclude the
possibility or make unnecessary a sec
ond shot the balance of the powder Will
be stacked UP to remain until needed.
From every county in Southern Caiitor-
mia comes reports of rainfall sufficient to
save the grain crops and greatly oeneht
the fruit and sugar-beet interests Inc
northerly counties have had the greatest
precipitations as yet, but predictions are
for more rain and the storm Is Fdpluly
extending southwark.
Late this afternoon the barometer was
SLOWLY but steadily falling. There is rain
falling at Caliente, near Tehachapi, ano
the indications are that the storm is stlli
north of Los Angeles. The rain flag stays
up and the wind is in the right quarter.
1t is believed at the Weather Bureau that
there will be a good rain tonight. The
precipitation for the storm up 10 o CLOCK
was "a of an inch.
SAN DIEGO, March 16-Rain COM
menced falling here at noon to-day and
the prospects are decidedly favorable for
a heavy downpour. A strong south wind
was blowing all morning, but lulled some
what when the rain set in. Reports from
outside places in the county report heavy
rains, WIN SHOW III the IHOuHtd4IS. WIN
a light rain, such as is promised now, the
crops in this section of the State will be
above the average.
In this city the rainfall this afternoon
amounted to only .07. At Chula Vista
and in the Santa Maria Valley there was
inch in Ell Cajon Valley. Escondido got
"A and crops there are thought to have
been saved. Farther back in the foot
There was half an inch at Julian, a like
amount at Morena lam and an inch at
Mesa Grande Rain began falling again
steady downpour is now in progress.
WOODLAND. March 16.-There has been no
rain today but the the nddt f 9Tg Yoo good for
have reason to be grateful for the generous
tions henceforth favorable the yield of
cereals may be one Of the largest for many
years Grain was not suffering from lack OF
moisture before the storm, but the fact that
the rainfall was so far below the average and
several months, seemed to indicate that the
farmers were threatened with another dry
year While the rainfall is still below the
| average enough has fallen to relieve any fur
ther anxiety. At o'clock this morning the
making total of 1I5 inches for the season.
reached here about o'clock this morning and
inside of four hours 20 of an inch of rain fell.
1t was general throughout the county, be-
Ing much heavier in the mountains and foot
mountains low down 1t is still cloudy and
slightly cooler. More rain is expected to-
night. What has already fallen has greatly
benefited the ranges and late sown grain. be-
sides giving a new lease OF life to fruit.
| TULARE, March 16.-Tulare is happy over
the splendid rainfall last night and to-day
There was light precipitation at points south
of Tuare: Delano. % OF an inch; Bakersfield
.2f: Selma, thirty miles north. had 80. AT
Tulare the precipitation was o. The rain was
just in time to save the grain. start the grass
and help the orchards Tulare may yet have
abundant crops.
LOS OIIVOS March 16-The rain began last
night about II o'clock. and continued during
the night There showers to-day with the
wind still southeast and thei promise fof a big
with few spring Showers fair grain crops.
! There is snow on San Rafael Mountains
! MONTERREY, March 16.-The storm which
| began in this section on Tuesday afternoon at
| last is practically over, although the baro-
1 meter is still low. Two and sixteen hundredthS
| inches of rain has fallen here since midday
| Tuesday, and the exceeding dryness of the
| ground caused the water to be soaked up as by
! a sponge. Everybody is rejoicing over the
generous downpour, for it assures good fruit
| of many of the business interests in this local
| ity Cattlenen especially will feel the good
/ results Although the wind has veered to the
! north and the temperature Is much lower than
| in the morning, clouds and low barometer still
! Indicate rain during the night. considerable
| mountains during last nights storm, but was
/ not low enough on the foothills to do any
| damage to the crops of that locality.
! HUENEbfE, March 16.-During the past
| twenty-four hours on inch of rain has fallen
! here the first since January II. The heavi-
| est rainfall occurred during the night. 1t has
! but this evening the storm has opened up with
renewed vigor. 1t is raining steadily, with
low barometer. and the storm bids fair to
continue throughout the night. Oxnard re-
ports /. % inches, Las Posas one inch and the
| Simi one inch. The precipitation thus far
is not sufficient to insure good crops, even in