io8 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



though after the sun has risen in his wonted 

 power and glory a leap of 30 to 40 degrees 

 is a common occurrence, I have never yet 

 seen the thermometer over 75 (in the shade), 

 and that but rarely ; whereas in Virginia, for 

 instance, and in the mountains too, I have 

 day after day seen the thermometer stand 

 at 76 during several hours of a mid-winter 

 day, and this in a climate where a nightly 

 temperature of 10 degrees below zero is not 

 a myth. Yet the winter climate of this 

 section is as superior to that of Virginia, or 

 of Southern California, as that of these two 

 States is to the winter climate of Vermont. 

 Here one brilliant day succeeds another with 

 little variation. Weather comes in the shape 

 of a stray wind or so, or a very occasional 

 rain or light snow-fall. Our winter warmth 

 is due entirely to the force of the sun's rays 

 shining through an atmosphere unimpeded 

 by fog or damp, for the fogs of Southern 

 California are unknown here, as are its hor- 

 rible ' northers.' 



In California, too, one sits in the winter 

 sunshine and feels overheated and relaxed, 

 moves on into the shade to creep and shiver, 



