The record-union., 1899-09-17

A similar, but less striking. decrease
of rainfall (about four inches) is OBJ
served in an easterly and westerly di-
rection, from the foot of the Sierra to-
ward the Coast Range.
Twenty inches of rainfall is usually
considered the limit below which the
culture of field crops without irriga-
ton becomes precarious. This is true
where that rainfall is distributed all
over the year; but in the Franciscan
climate where it is concentrated upon
six or seven months, during which
plant growth is allowed by the temper
ature, much smaller rainfalls will suf-
flee. 1t will be seen from the above
table that the precipitation in the Sac
ramento Valley lies mostly above the
twentyinch limit; but as we proceed
southwark in the San Joaquin Valley,
irrigation becomes more and more inn
portant, the water required being
brought in from the streams descend
ing from the Sierra. Yet the great
depth of the soils and natural moisture
rising from below, permits of successful
grain culture far to the south of the
twenty-inch limit.
A similar, but less rapid decrease, of
rainfall is observed along the sea-
coast. Cape Mendocino is a kind Of
weather divide, north of which the
rainfall and the summer climate
| changes, Northwestern California hav
| ing a climate with summer rains, much
| like that of Oregon Owing to this
! fact and, farther south, to the prev
! alence of coolnesS and summer fogs.
| which contribute materially to the
! maintenance of summer vegetation, the
/ coast region is eminently adapted to
! dairying, and especially southward of
/ Santa Barbara produces abundantly
the staple crops of the Northern States
together with beans, corn and hogs.
On this southern coast belt the rainfall
ranges from about sixteen inches at
Santa Barbara to eleven at San Diego;
at San Francisco it is from twenty
| three to twenty-four inches, then to
northward rises rapidly to over forty
| inches, with occasional local variations
! down to thirty; but still, within the
/ State, it rises at some points to as much
as eighty inches, under the influence
| of the mountains.
! The shape and direction of the coast
valleys exert a material influence upon
both rainfall and temperature, accord
! ing to the greater or less ease with
which the trade winds can penetrate.
/ Thus there are brought about numer-
Gus local climates" and thermal
BELTS" favoring certain cultures more
! than others. Hence the selection of To-
cation and exposures is of exceptional
/ Importance in this State.
In the Sierra the rainfall increases
about one inch for every foot of eie-
walton; aside from this the climatic and
agricultural character of the foothills
up to 2000-2, 500 feet is about the SAME
as in the Great Valley. Farther up,
| to about 3,50O-4, 900 feet according 10
| latitude), fine deciduous fruit is grown.
! especially wine grapes, peaches, pears
and apples, of excellent quality. Higher
up numbering, mining and sheep herd
| ing predominate.
TEMPERATURE.
The subjoined table is of interest IN
showing strikingly the differences al
! ready referred to, between the ell
mates of the coast of California and or
the corresponding latitudes on the At
| lantic Coast:
| California Coast