44° POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



while over the Plateau the average daily deficiency of temperature was 

 6°-ll°, and there were unfavorable effects of the cool weather. These 

 are interesting examples as showing, in degrees, what excess or deficiency 

 of temperature stimulated or depressed trade in this particular case. In 

 the Middle South Atlantic States, where there were exceptionally heavy 

 rains, corn suffered from lack of cultivation, and trade was checked. 



During the latter part of June, and in July, large sections of the 

 United States east of the Kocky Mountains suffered from prolonged 

 drought. Eecord-breaking temperatures were observed at a large 

 number of stations, readings of 100° and above occurring in many 

 places for several days in succession during part of the month. The 

 daily temperature excess frequently reached 5°-10°, or more. During 

 this long spell of hot weather the rainfall was markedly deficient over 

 many sections east of the Eocky Mountains, and hence there resulted 

 a drought of far-reaching extent. About the midde of July, corn 

 began to suffer severely. Locally, some damage was done to wheat 

 and to oats, while cotton was also injured over considerable sections of 

 the South. Occasional local rains helped to make good part of the 

 damage to corn and cotton. The chief interest, so far as crops were 

 concerned, centered in the condition of corn. 



The first effect of the extreme heat, and one that lasted through 

 July, was a marked stimulation of retail trade in summer clothing of 

 all kinds, straw hats, sporting goods, and the like. The continuance 

 of the heat over much of the country had the effect of carrying the sale 

 of summer goods beyond the usual time. Another effect of the hot 

 weather — and this an unfavorable one — was the curtailment of almost 

 all branches of trade other than that in summer goods. A report from 

 Boston, to the effect that ' buyers were few, and only necessities prompted 

 purchases,' puts the case clearly enough. The decrease in 'shopping' 

 led to an increase in orders by mail. The intense heat was, however, 

 not necessarily adverse to general retail trade, provided crop prospects 

 were favorable. This was clearly brought out in such reports as one 

 from St. Louis, where trade 'was sustained by the result of the wheat 

 harvest.' On the other hand, trade may not respond immediately, 

 even when crop prospects are bright, for when the weather is fine, and 

 farmers are busy in the fields, they have no time to go to town to trade. 



The heat of the first week of July 'caused a practical suspension 

 of industrial activity in many cities.' Numerous prostrations from heat 

 caused humane employers to close their mills during the most dis- 

 tressing hours, thus somewhat restricting the output. In regard to 

 the effect of the weather upon the steel- workers ' strike in Pittsburgh, 

 one of the trade journals reports that the striking employees were 

 'mostly content to take a rest during the hot weather,' and consequently 

 were not so anxious that a settlement should be reached. 



