CALIFORNIA AND COAST REGION. 13 
INTERIOR VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA. 
Between the Coast Range and the Sierra Nevada Mountains lies a 
valley extending through central California from Kern County on 
the south to Shasta County on the north. This is formed by the 
union of two valleys, the Sacramento River flowing from the north 
and the San Joaquin from the south. The region is characterized by 
high temperature and scant rainfall in the summer. The Coast Range 
Mountains forming the western limit of the valley cut off the 
moisture-laden winds from the Pacific Ocean, except at San Francisco 
Bay, where there is a break in the chain through which the above- 
mentioned rivers reach the ocean. Atthis point in the valley and also 
opposite a few other minor breaks, the climate is modified in propor- 
tion to the amount of moisture that filters through. 
When the winter rainfall is sufficient there may be an abundance of 
native pasture during the spring, but the main dependence is placed 
on two crops—alfalfa and grain hay. Excepting in a few favored local- 
ities, crops are raised by the aid of irrigation. The alfalfa is mostly 
consumed upon the farm, while the grain: hay supplies the city mar- 
kets. Alfalfa grows to the greatest perfection, especially in the San 
Joaquin Valley, where it is customary to obtain about 8 tons of hay 
at five cuttings from each acre, and about five months’ pasture. Grain 
hay is produced from wheat, barley, and, to a less extent. from oats. 
In some districts, wild-oat hay is common. 
Upper Pactric Coast REGION. 
This includes the area lying along the coast west of the Cascade 
Mountains, from Puget Sound south to San Francisco. It is charac- 
terized by cool summers, mild winters, and a large rainfall. Fogs are 
frequent and droughts very rare. The conditions are very favorable 
for the growth of pasture grasses, and the section is preeminently a 
dairy region. Through most of this region cattle can be pastured 
through the winter. Some hay is preserved, especially in western 
Washington, but on account of the dampness the quality is inferior. 
The Willamette Valley of western Oregon may be considered as a part 
of this general area, though, since it is shut off from the coast by a 
low range of mountains (the Coast Range), the rainfall is much less, 
and the climate is correspondingly modified. The annual rainfall here 
is 40 to 60 inches, mostly in the winter. Along the coast the rainfall 
is 60 inches, increasing northward in the region of Puget Sound, and it 
is distributed throughout most of the year. In this region the grasses 
and clovers that are commonly used in the Eastern States grow in 
great luxuriance. 
