CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ON THE TRUCKER-CARSON PROJECT. 1 



By P. P>. Headley, Farm Superintendent, Office of Western Irrigation 



Agriculture. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Climate is an important factor in influencing the agriculture of 

 any country and it also affects the comfort and health of the inhabit- 

 ants. For this reason people proposing to settle in a new country 

 are greatly interested in its climatic conditions. 



This paper has therefore been prepared in order that the climato- 

 logical data relating to the Truckee- Carson Project may be assembled 

 in a convenient form for reference and to answer the inquiries of 

 new and prospective settlers. 



LENGTH OF SEASON. 



Alfalfa is the great money-producing crop of the project. Tt 

 starts growth in late March or early April and usually continues 

 to grow without being severely checked. It sometimes happens, how- 

 ever, that the early growth is fro/en back and the time of maturity 

 of the first crop delayed. This occurred in the spring of 1911. It is 

 interesting to note in this connection that some fields that had been 

 irrigated by flooding during the daytime just preceding the freeze 

 were uninjured. 



Sugar beets, grain crops, onions, and hardy vegetables are planted 

 in early spring, as they are seldom or never injured. 



Potatoes are usually safe if planted after May 1. but all tender 

 plants, such as melons and tomatoes, should not be planted in the 

 open without protection until about May 20 unless some means of 

 protecting them on cold nights is provided. 



The blossoms of the fruit trees are frequently killed by the late 

 spring frosts. This is particularly true with peaches and apricots. 

 Apples and pears blossom later and are more frequently able to set 

 a crop. It is probable that the crop of apples and pears can be 

 saved by means of an equipment of orchard heaters. 



1 Issued Feb. 22, 1913. 

 It'ir. 114 1 25 



