Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-10
LACK OF RAIN
CAUSES WORRY
CATTLE MEN AS YET ARE THE
GREATEST SUFFERERS
Extreme oryness Causes Poor Pas
turage and Outlook for Winter is
eloomy-crops Still in
Good Condition
H. Assncininh Press

by Associated Press
SAN FRA>-~1SCO, Jan 9.--Reports
from all poiut5 in NoUheru and Cen
trail California are I'm the main to the
effect that Notwithstanding the COM
parative lightuess of the rainfall this
season the farmers are not greatly
discouraged. The principal complaint
comes from tho stockmeu on account
of the scarcity of pasturage. n sum-
mary of the reports follow:
Salinas-Although no rain has fallen
in any quantity for over six weeks
farmers are not in tho least diSheart-
ened. If rain comes soon and is fol-
lowed by frequent downpours crops
will be large and OF excellent quality.
Stockmen. on the other hand. complain
that their feed is getting short. Indi-
cations tonight point to storm.
Martinez-The people Of this county
are alarmed over the lack of rain. This
seasons fall is but three inches. At
the same time in 1905 it was ten inches.
AS yet crops are not suffering, but
cattle are dying on the ranges. If rain
falls soon crops will be good this year.
Indications tonight are for rain.
Merced-The absence of rain has
caused considerable alarm among the
st0ckmen in this county. feed being
very scarce. ON the other hand, farm
ers say the drouth has not affected
crop prospects materially. The ground
is i'll excellent condition and If rain
comes this month the crop outlook will
be bright
Auburn--The rainfall so far this sea
son is 4.0S, against 2l.SI to the same
cate last year. But this season the
rain has fallen so that none has been
wasted. The ground is in good condi-
tion for plowine. Cold weather has
kept back grass and grain ard stock
is suffering. but the same cdu-N'oper
ates to the great ADVANTAGE of fruit
growers. who are we'll satisfied to keep
back buds and avert damage from late
frosts.
Pruning is we'll advanced ana present
indications. Judging from condition of
fruit buds, give promise of a large
crop for the coming season. Very little
damage is reported so far from pear
blight ana the orchards are in good
condition. Hay and grain is backward
in the lower part of the county.
Frosts Cause Damage
San Luis Obispo-Althouah there has
been but two-thirds of an inch of rain
this season, the country is not suffer-
ing. December showers induced pas
turage. Heavy frosts the past week
damaged the orange and lemon crops,
The various sections are now plowed.
Ranchers are not complaining vet.
Hollister-There is every indication
for rain here tonight. There has been
2.74 inches ito date against 4:1O this
time last year. With the usual spring
rains there will be good crops and
large acreage.
Suisun-Rain is badly needed in the
farming sections and opera tions are
greatly impeded by the long drouth
Feed is exceptionally scarce, causing
loss to stockmen and sheepmen. Con-
ditions in orchards so far are favorable
and encouraging. The rainfall to date
is inches. compared with IL inches
this time last year.
Willows-Rain began falling last
evening and continued up to o'clock
this morning. Wheat and barley are
doing well. The grass on the ranges
is starting up nicely. With the usual
spring rains Glenn county will reap
abundantlY. Stock on the ranges is
poor. but will pull through.
Jackson-The cron outlook Is not
BRIGHT. Only AS inches of rain this
season, against 13 inches last wear at
this date. No blowing has been done
worth speaking of, Hay is $50 per ton.
Cattle are suffering from cold and a
number have died, Mines are running
on short time on account Of water
scarcity. 1t is now raining with indi-
cations of good storm.
HantOrd-Rain Is badly needed in the
drv unirrieated rortions of the county.
The irrigated portions are in fine con-
dition. Cold days and heavy frosts
Rave retarded feed and farmers are
feeding stock hay. Fruit prospects are
excellent. Orchards and VINEYARDS are
nearly all pruned Many thousands of
acres of wheat sown in the TuIare lake
region await a good rain to sprout.
Sowing is still progressing. If the rains
come soon a large acreage of alfalfa
will be sown on the new lands. The
work of irrigation ditch building. level
ing and artesian we'll boring is
progressing rapidly.
Report From stanisIaus County
Modesto-The present condition of
crops of Stanislaus county is good at
present, although there has been less
rainfall here uD to date than any sea-
son for many years. All the grain has
started growth very nicely. Cold
weather has retarded all green feed,
| causing considerable loss OF cattle in
the mountain sections.
Ukiah-The rainfall the past year is
| considerably short Of the average. but
farmers express themselves as CONT
dent of good crops. Feed has been
short on account Of the late rains and
cold weather. but is doing well now
Stock is in fairly good condition and
the loss will be normal. Warm rains
commenced last night and still con-
tinue.
Sonora-rhe unprecedented and long
continued dry cold spell has prevented
the growth of grasses on the ranges
In this county, and as a consequence
stock is suffering and dying. Mining
operations have been practically at a
standstill for the past four months be-
cause of the lack Of water, but a warn
rain is now I'm progress, which will
prove beneficial alike to stockmsn and
miners.
Downieville-Th severe cold snap