The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-02-28
n. ]. VAIL SAYS CALIFORNIA is
DRY WITH A vENGENCE


22nd, 1917. one year lacking four days
and you may well believe that the
situation ives decidedly dry. Rain be-
gan falling about six o'clock last even
ing and continued with little intermis
sion until after midnight. The ground
is wet down several inches and farm
work will now be inagurated with al
rush. Much has been plowed and some
grain has been sown despite the dry
condition of the ground, but the grain
which had not sprouted and died will
now come on with a healthy rush and
those who have not sowed their grains
are now at it. Beet planting will also
begin at once and the prospect is for
larger acreage and the sugar mills
will turn out greater supply OF sugar.
AS | look up at the mountains this
morning they were covered with snow,
presenting a beautiful spectacle in
, contrast with the golden orange or
chards in the valley. These noun
tains are more tuan a mile high and
| the upper half was cleaning glori-
ousl in the bright sunlight. BY noon
today heavy clouds are gathering there
and the promise is for more rain in
the valleys and snow on the granite
heights tonight. Until the coming
of this rain we have had but LOG in.
ches of rain since last May. OF course
where irrigation was resorted to the
lack of rain made no difference. Ranch
and orchard work has moved along as
usual 1t was those who depend upon
dry farming that was hard hit Stock
men have suffered heavily as they had
to pay as high as $50 ton for hay
to keep their stock alive.
This has been the longest dry spell
we have had since the weather bureau
was established more than 40 years
ago, but if this rain is followed by
others without too long intermissions
! California will still be in it as to crop
reports Rain now will do more good,
est part of our winter is now past,
there seldom being hard frosts after
the middle of February, and vegetation
will be pushed forward more rapidly.
We have had most remarkable
winter, not only dry but unusually
warm The coolest night we have had
was 20, just three degrees below freez-
ing and that lowing to our dry at
mosphere) did not kill garden veget-
,ables. My tomato vines are still
blooming | have one vine that
planted beside high banana and had
10 IN hot q
caves fully ten feet. To some of
our readers that will appear much like
a California lie' but it is the gospel
truth, and if you do not believe it
come out and inspect the goods. l
picked ripe fruit off this vine in Dec
ember and had to stand on a store
box to reach it. Today | dug the
last mess of potatoes in my garden.
During the good year 1917 | raised six
successive crops of vegetables in this
garden, so you see am Hooverizng.
There have been but very few days
this winter that we have not eaten our
midday meal with doors and windows
open, and even many evenings were
spent without a particle of fire in the
house. 1t has been continuous sun
shine for months, just like your finest
June weather 1t has been a great
winter for tourists, many of whom
! brought their cars with them and our
splendid boulevards swarm with them
every day. There has not been three
days in the past nine months that the
weather has not been supurb for out
ing. This is indeed THE Land of
Beulah" where everybody can sing
! Every day is Sunday now"
Since | began writing this letter the
clouds have swept down from the
mountains and it is raining again, for
which great blessing We are duly and
/ truly thankful. Let it rain!
The next attraction that we are
looking forward to is the meeting of
the former Iowans at Eastlake Park,
on Washingtons birthday the 22nd.
On such occasions tens of thousands
of former citizens of the great state
picnic on the grass nj that beautiful
park and greet old friends, and have
a general good time. / have seen more
! than 100000 thus brought together
which is not strange when we remem-
Der that there are over 100000 Iowa
people now living in Southern Califor-
MIA.
Last year when the first speaker
stood before this vast auience me be-
gan his address by asking: Boys!
Girls! Who did you leave at home
to do the chores"
The government and state are al
bout to begin cutting deep ship canal
connecting the San Pedro and Long
Beach harbors. which will make It'll
possible for ships to enter at either
harbor and pass out at the other. This
is large and very important under
taking, and things are booming down
that way as matter of course. We,
drove over there on the 10th instant
and found things stirring at a great
speed. There we're hundrends of peo-
pie bathing in the surf and having a
joyous good time.
WE'LL Mr.. Editor. as fast as the old