THE COAST CLIMATE 13 



It is apparent then that the selection of locations for orchards 

 must be made with a knowledge of special conditions governing 

 the distribution of equal temperatures and other natural agencies 

 contributing to the development of fruit. This distribution, as 

 has been intimated, is not by parallels of latitude, great circles 

 which appear as straight lines on a map, but by curves, which 

 proceed in various directions, governed chiefly by topography. 

 These are curves of temperature, of rainfall, of elevation, of soil 

 formation and deposit. Geography retires from authority ; 

 topography and climatography govern. 



Let these ruling conditions be reviewed, then, briefly : First, 

 as to general areas; second, with reference to special situations 

 and locations. 



COAST CLIMATE 



The chief characteristics of the coast are equable temperature, 

 increasing southward ; summers cool and winters warm, as com- 

 pared with the interior; abundant rainfall, decreasing considerably 

 southward; a somewhat humid atmosphere, as compared with the 

 interior; frequent fogs or overcast skies; prevailing westerly winds. 



The extension of coast influence toward the interior is gov- 

 erned by local topography. Coast valleys open to ocean winds are 

 cooler and moister and demand hardier fruits than valleys sheltered 

 by intervening ranges. Gaps and passes in the ranges are subject 

 to winds of considerable force and low temperature, and are not 

 generally favorable for fruit ; on the other hand, situations sheltered 

 on the north and west favor growth of fruits even though quite 

 near the coast. Sometimes a distance of a few miles, sometimes a 

 wind-break of natural forest or of planted trees, so modifies coast 

 influences that fruits do well. Elevation on the sides of coast 

 valleys secures similar results. For example, the floor of the 

 Pajaro Valley is well suited for apples, late pears, cherries, plums, 

 prunes, and berries (except gooseberries), while on adjacent hill- 

 sides peaches do well. 



In southern California, coast winds are warmer than in the 

 upper half of the State, but coast influences intrude further, as a 

 rule, because the hills near the coast in southern California are low; 

 the high ranges, answering to the Coast Range of the upper part 

 of the State, trending far into the interior. On the coast side of 

 these ranges fruits ripen later than in sheltered interior points in 

 the upper part of the State, but eastward of the mountains, where 

 soil and moisture favor, or irrigation is practised, extra early loca- 

 tions have been found and are now being rapidly developed in 

 the Imperial and adjacent valleys, for instance. 



Some of the horticultural effects of the conditions prevailing 

 on the coast may be described as follows : 



