STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 195 



Ventura. 



IIuKXKME, January 23. — In this county, at least ten per cent of grain has been sown above last 

 year, and twenty per cent over the year before. On the east side of the river, which includes 

 the Colonia and Las Posas ranches, the increase of wheat sown is at least fifty per cent. The 

 rainfall to date is only four and a half inches, but the older and most extensive farmers arc not 

 discoui'aijed, and are still seedinsi every acre that the teams can plow. Still the prevailins; and 

 almost incessant northers since New Year have done an immense amount of damage, and the 

 early sown grain is beginning to turn yellow. In this section, the late rains, say in February 

 and March, are depended on to make crops, A large quantity of ground in the Santa Clara 

 Valh-y is being reserved for corn and beans, which will be planted or not according as the rains 

 do or do not come in February or March. The indications are tliat we are in for a dry season, 

 but five good rainy days will change the whole outlook and delight the farmers, 



Napa, January 22, — The rainfall for January has been ,52 of an inch, and for the season 4.99 

 inches, which is much less than the usual rainfall to this date. The crops throughout the 

 county are looking quite well, though rain would benefit them much. The soil is getting too 

 dry to plow, but if rain should come during the next three or four weeks, a good cro]) will be 

 assured, for a total failure has never been known in this valley. The acreage planted to grain 

 is about the same as last year, though the aniount planted is decreasing each year, and more 

 land is planted to fruit and vines. The interest in fruit growing is as great this year as ever, 

 and many new vineyards and orchards will be planted. Some of tlie wheat planted late has 

 not yet sprouted, but all the early sown grain is up and growing nicely. 



Shasta. 



Shasta, January 22. — The crop prospects of Shasta County look exceedingly well. So far, a 

 great many have already planted and the balance are now planting. The acreage this year 

 will exceed former yeais by several thousand. The total rainfall to date is 16.2 inches, which 

 is much less than former seasons, but with late rains, all will turn out well. 



Marin. 



San Rafael, January 23. — Owing to the absence of rain, the outloolc for this county is not as 

 encouraging as it might be, and growing feed is not as abundant as it generally is at this date, 

 but still, as the grass has got a good root, if we get rain by the middle of February, we shall 

 come out all right. 



