Los Angeles Herald

FAVORABLE REPORTS FROM MOST LOCALITIES.

Observer Franklin's Weekly Statement.

Plenty of Time for Rain Yet—Farmers Still Plowing and Sowing

Observer Franklin, of the United States weather bureau, furnishes the following crop report:

Hueneme, S. L. Mack—The weather continues dry with heavy winds, but the crop as yet has not suffered. Should the weather continue dry for the next ten days it will have a tendency to damage the crop a little.

Lancaster, James P. Ward—Milder weather prevailed; farmers are as busy as ever, with many new comers joining them in the development of farming lands.

Verdugo, J. C. Sherer—Dry weather is having no effect yet, except in short pasturage. Plowing and sowing continue, the ground being sufficiently moist to plow well and to start grain.

Rodeo de las Aguas Ranch, Henry H. Denker—The weather continues dry, still nothing is suffering yet, as the growth has been very slow and the moisture has been retained in the ground to a great extent. Feed in pastures is scarce, and stock will suffer before a great while. The grain crop is all right for two or three weeks yet without rain. Vegetables in the Cahuenga foothills are looking splendid, being well cultivated and doing about as well as in a wet season.

No frost formed during the week.

West Vernon, S. McKinley—The bright sunshine of the past week gave a good start to grasses and vegetables; the latter never looked better than now. The first crop of potatoes is being planted. The orange trees are reviving after a little frost.

Los Angeles, U. S. Weather Bureau, George E. Franklin—Clear, warmer weather with dry northerly winds and a deficiency of .63 inch in rainfall were the principal features of the weather during the past week; 2.05 inches of rain have fallen this season up to date; last season 2.82 inches fell. Deducted from the average for a corresponding period, the records of fourteen years' observations, is 9.79 inches. The highest temperature during the week was 75 degrees; lowest, 37 degrees. The supply of early vegetables, in the local markets, continues light; green peas, tomatoes and cauliflower are coming in to a limited extent and prices rule high.

Duarte, W. W. Bliss—The crops are not suffering, but growing grain will suffer unless rain falls soon. The highest temperature during the week, was 74 degrees; lowest, 42 degrees. Rainfall for the season to date, 2.11 inches.

Covina, George W. Taylor—Clear, warm days and cool nights prevailed during the past week. Grain that is up is making a splendid growth, but rain is needed for the sowing. Winter vegetables are doing well, but would be benefited by rain. Strawberries are beginning to yield in small quantities.

Ontario, E. P. Clark—There were drying winds on Sunday and Wednesday, which increase the need of rain. Farmers are hopeful of heavy rains in February, and are still sowing grain. A great deal of grain is up and looking well.

Chino, Edwin Rhodes—The continued dry weather is making plowing rather hard, and the cool nights make the growth of vegetation slow. A soaking rain is much needed and would facilitate work greatly. Plowing and planting beets continues steadily on the Chino ranch.

Alessandro, Arthur Chaflin—A large acreage has been planted to barley and other grain, but the dry weather and north wind have dried the ground, making plowing difficult; grain seeded is not injured, but more rain would triple the acreage. A considerable acreage will be set this spring to citrus fruits, as the past winter has demonstrated that fears of frost in this locality are groundless. The highest temperature during the week was 74 degrees on the 20th; lowest, 34 degrees on the 19th; mean temperature, 53 degrees.

Santa Ana, H. A. Peabody—Dry weather continues, with little prospect of rain; north winds prevailed two days this week, doing no damage. Grain is growing steadily. Oranges are ripening, and the yield will be about 10 per cent less than last year.

Tustin, E. D. Buss—The weather has remained rather cool, except during three days when a desert wind prevailed. It was not severe, and did little damage. Some oranges were blown off, but not generally good fruit. The abnormally dry weather continues, and will soon become harmful if unchanged.

Anaheim, M. Nebelung—Rain is very much needed now, as the dry weather retards the plowing and sowing of grain to a great extent. Easterly winds prevailed during the week.

Winchester, J. M. Case—The weather the past week has been quite warm for the season, nights rather cool. Grain is fast coming up and growing nicely. Mean temperature for the week, 55 degrees.

San Diego, U. S. Weather Bureau, M. L. Herne—The weather during the past week has been warm and very dry, with northwest winds. Grass is showing the effects of the continuous warm weather and is coming up finely. Vegetables of all kinds are plentiful. Oranges are coming in and are of good quality. A great deal of plowing is being done in the valleys.