FRUIT GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 
17 
in January. The rainfall during this month seldom equals 2 in. 
The weather grows a little warmer, the mean temperature rising 
to 48*2 deg., with 35’5 deg. and 60*8 deg. as the extremes. A 
few orchardists still prune, but the work should end with the 
month, preferably sooner. There are usually a number of 
warm, sunshiny days, and these cause a few almond trees to 
blossom. 
March is still warmer, and almonds, peaches, plums, and 
cherries bloom profusely. The mean temperature is 52-3 deg., 
and the extremes 40-7 deg. and 63*9 deg. In this month the 
winds are variable, and more rain falls than in any month except 
December. The average rainfall for March is 3’77, but the rain 
is warm, and trees, vines, and vegetables grow with increased 
and remarkable vigour. 
When April comes every orchard is a sea of flowers, and the 
air is full of perfume. Wild flowers tint the hillsides, birds fill 
the air with melody, and gentle breezes go laughing o’er the 
wheat. The average rainfall for the month is 1‘85 in., and the 
mean temperature 50T deg. The thermometer has indicated as 
low as 37*4 deg., and as high as 64*8 deg. in April. As April 
passes away spring is preparing to leave and summer is ap¬ 
proaching. Strawberries are here, and will be seen in the 
markets until the latter part of November. Cherries, red and 
ripe, hang thick upon the trees, and every field is brilliant with 
wild flowers. 
In May there is usually very little rain. The average for this 
month is *53 of an inch. Haying commences in this month, and 
as a rule there is very little danger of injury from rain. The 
average daily temperature is 57 # 9 deg., the lowest being 42*2 deg., 
and the highest 73*6 deg. 
June is one of the warmest months in the year, the average 
daily temperature being 58*7 deg., with a mean minimum of 
41’4 deg., and a mean maximum of 76 deg. During this month 
the thermometer upon rare occasions registers 85, 90, or 95 deg. 
The highest figure reached during the past ten years was 104 
deg. Apricots now come into the market. A few ripen in May, 
but now they are plentiful. The earlier varieties of peaches are 
ripe, and prunes are ripening ; raspberries and currants are 
ripe, and it is the height of the cherry season. Strawberries and 
all kinds of vegetables are plentiful. The sun shines almost 
c 
