The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-12
VENTURA COUNTY
GETS A WETTI INC
First Genuine Rain in
Three Years.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

HUENEME, Jan. 1.-THE first genuine
rainstorm that has blessed this valley
since 1895 began here at daybreak yester-
day and continued almost without cessa-
ton till shutdown, during which time 4.15
inches fell. At Oxnard, five miles inland,
4.32 inches of precipitation was registered.
The mountains surrounding the valley
are covered with snow to their very base
lines. This afternoon the storm broke
out afresh, with the wind blowing brisky
from the southeast, and the barometer
falling steadily. Indications are that the
rainfall for the storm will reach six
inches, making it a record-breaker for
this section of the State.
1t is estimated by conservative business
men here that the benefit to be derived
from the storm can easily be valued at
$4,000 900 for this county. 1t is stated that
the sugar factory at Oxnard will at once
be enlarged to double its present capacity,
thus affording facilities for the crushing
OF 1000 tons of beets daily
Barley hay was selling here at $25 a
ton previous to the storm, but since the
fears of another dry year entertained by
farmers have been so gloriously dissipated
the price will be reduced considerably.
The storm will have the effect of reducing
the price of lima beans to a figure that
viii awaken the market from it's long
lethargy and invite Eastern trade The
acreage that will be planted to wheat and
barley IN Ventura County this season is
estimated at $1,000 acres; beans, 81 900
acres; sugar beets, $4,000 acres, and corn,
5000 acres.
The plight of cattle men up to yester-
day has been most deplorable one, ow-
ing to the drought and lack of feed on the
ranges in the eastern extremity of the
county. In a single band of cattle over
500 head died during the past two months,
the only sustenance to be found being that
aHorded by the cactus plant. Men have
been hired for the especial purpose of
cutting the plant and burning the thorns
in order to make the spiny Shrub fit for
fodder. In other parts the wholesale
slaughter of cattle has been going on to
end their suffering
WOODLAND, Jan. 11.-At noon TODAY
the rainfall for the storm amounted to
1.52 inches. making a total of 6G inches
for the season. In the western part of the
county the rainfall has been much heav-
Ter. A dispatch from Rumsey says: AT
noon to-day the gauge showed aprecipita-
ton OF ZIG inches for the storm. There
were intermittent showers during the af-
cleared and the stars shone out clear and
bright. At this writing the skies are
overcast, the wind is in the right direc-
ton for continuation of the storm and
q light sprinkle has already commenced.
The prospects are good for the heaviest
storm for many years. The beneficial re-
OF Capay Valley can hardly be overesti-
mated. The hay crop is already assured.
But little more rain Is needed to insure
good grain crops. A few weeks ago the
fruit trees were suffering in consequence
of the drought and there was grave dan
ger of a serious loss in trees as we'll as
short crops Now all danger from that
source seems past and good crops are
reasonably sure. The people of Western
Yolo are encouraged to take a cheerful
view of the outlook
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 1.-THE storm which
commenced at noon here yesterday was
the hardest and most general downpour
throughout the county which has oc-
CURED within the past two years. The
q a.
p. m, when for half an hour it was a
veritable cloudburst. The rainfall in the
city for the storm was 1.34 inches, MAX
ing 3.11 inches for the season, against IS
inches for the total season last year The
heaviest rainfall of the storm in this vi
cinity was at Cuyamaca DAM where $3.50
inches fell in eighteen hours. Small wash
outs occurred on the National City and
Otay and Santa Fe roads, but the trains
are running to-day.
MILTON, Jan 1.-THE heaviest storm
in several years prevailed here to-day
Last night rain fell to the depth Of g
inches. To-day rain fell heavily at in
tervals and a terrific wind amounting to
almost a gale blew from the southeast
Roofs were denuded of their coverings
and windmills and fences blown down
With this storm the last fear of dry sea
son has vanished. Stages leaving points
in the mountains early in the morning to
connect with the afternoon train here