STATE A.GRK (JLTURAL SO IKTY. 



257 



have had less after January first, in the ratio or proportion as the amount 

 before was greater. For example: 



While I do not pretend to know or to predict how much more rain we 

 will have Ik 'fore the end of Spring, the above table should warn every 

 farmer and fruit grower of the necessity of preparing their work with the 

 expectation of having hut little more. The season thus far for the cultiva- 

 tor is the best we have had in sixteen years, and any failure in crops will 

 be the result of neglect on the part of the farmer. 



Sa;nta Barbara, California, Decemher ."»1. iss.">. 



The following is the report spoken of in Mr. Cooper's letter that he had 

 furnished in April, 1884. The table has been brought down to December 

 31, 1885: 



The above table shows that less than one third of the average Winter pre- 

 cipitation occurs before January first, and more than two thirds after 

 that date. In six of the years covered by the above record the rainfall 

 after March first was two inches; in one year it was one inch; in one year 

 there was no rainfall after February; and in five years the rains extended 

 into April and early May. The annual precipitation for California, as 

 shown by the Smithsonian charts, does not indicate the favorable or unfa- 



17 90 



