PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. O 



about 10 difference in the average temperature of the northern and 

 southern limits of the state. Thunderstorms and cyclones are unknown. 

 The coast winds blow in one direction for about eight months of the 

 year. Snow is formed on top of the higher coast-range hills and moun- 

 tains. There are sharply contrasted wet and dry seasons. In and about 

 San Francisco there are about three months of heavy rains, namely 

 January, February, and March, with a few rains in December and 

 April. From about the first of May to the close of November there is 

 no rainfall worthy of mention. Toward the north from San Francisco 

 the amount of rainfall is increased; toward the south it is decreased. 

 At Los Angeles and south the rainfall is much less, and irrigation is 

 in many instances necessary to insure crops. Remarkable results have, 

 however, been obtained by the Campbell method, or dry farming, with- 

 out irrigation. The persistent "high fogs" of the coast region during 

 the months of July and August are a peculiar feature. These fogs come 

 in from the Pacific Ocean and cause the temperature to fall consider- 

 ably, so that it is unpleasantly raw and chilly, demanding the use of a 

 light overcoat for outdoor wear, and a fire in the grate to make the 

 interior comfortable. Along the middle coast region the temperature 

 rarely falls below 30 F., and the difference in mean average temper- 

 ature between the northern and southern coast limits of the State does 

 not vary more than 10 F. 



The climate of the interior of the State is very variable, according 

 to locality, differing from the immediate coast belt of approximately 

 the same latitude and altitude in that the winters are colder and the 

 summers hotter. The rainfall is variable. There may be snow in the 

 winter, and in many localities there are thunderstorms and electrical 

 displays during the summer months. 



Local variations in meteorological conditions are remarkable, a dis- 

 tance of from ten to thirty miles showing great differences in tempera- 

 ture, number of foggy, cloudy and chilly days, annual rainfall, daily 

 and nightly variations in temperature, etc. There may be a dense, 

 cold fog in a given limited area, while in a locality a mile distant it may 

 be comparatively warm with the brightest sunshine. This is but natural, 

 because of the altitudinal variations, alternation of hill ranges and 

 valleys, interrupted by higher peaks, river valleys, etc. The new arrival 

 ' from the Eastern States is forcibly impressed by the browned hillsides 

 during the summer months and the emerald verdure during the winter. 

 Grasses and annuals generally die, excepting those under cultivation, 

 as soon as the dry season sets in. 



Even more impressive is the varied flora of the State, as might well be 

 expected from such a peculiar climate. In the middle, and even in the 

 northern, portions of the State, along the coast and in the interior 



