26 



CIRCULAR NO. 114, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 



The season is sufficiently long to mature the quicker ripening vari- 

 eties of corn, tomatoes, and melons, but it is not long enough for 

 maturing long-season varieties. 



FROSTS. 



The length of the summer period between frosts is shown in 

 Table I. This table is only approximately correct, for the reason 

 that the dates of the killing frosts are reported from the different 

 parts of the project by various individuals, who may have a diversity 

 of opinion as to what constitutes a "killing" frost. The table will, 

 however, be helpful in indicating approximately the length of the 

 growing season. 



Table I. — Dates of Trilling frosts (hist in spring and first in autumn) at 

 rations points on the Truckec-C arson Project, 1906 to 1912, inclusive. 



Locality anil season of 

 frost. 



Carson dam: 



Last in spring 



First in autumn.. 



Leetville: 



Last in spring 



first in autumn.. 



Soda Lake: 



Last in spring 



First in autumn.. 



Fallon: 



Last, in spring 



First in autumn.. 



Fernley: 



Last in spring 



First in autumn.. 



1906 



Sept. 4 



Oct. 4 



Oct. 18 



May 31 

 Oct. 1 



Mill 



Apr. 20 

 orl. 29 



May 2 

 Sept. 19 



Sept. 18 



May 14 

 Sept. 19 



June 14 

 ( )ct . 4 



1908 



Mav 15 



Sept. 26 



Mav 9 

 Sept. 26 



May 16 



Sept. 25 



May 30 

 Sept. 25 



Mav S 

 Sept. 26 



Mill! I 



Mav 11 

 Oct. 30 



May 13 



Sept. 22 



May 14 

 Oct. 22 



Mav 24 



Sept. 22 



Mav 28 

 Oct. 8 



1910 



Apr. 22 

 Oct. L3 



Apr. 12 

 Oct. 13 



Apr. 15 

 Oct. 13 



May 16 

 Sept. 13 



Apr. 21 

 Oct. 13 



1911 



i Mav in 

 Oct. 18 



May 6 

 Oct. 18 



May 27 

 Oct. 18 



net. is 



1912 



Mav 21 

 Sept. 5 



May 22 



Mav 22 

 Sept. 25 



i Mav 22 

 Sept . 25 



Average 

 for all 

 years. 



Mav 6 

 Oct. 3 



Mav 1 

 Sept. 29 



Mav 9 

 Oct. 9 



May 23 

 Sept. 27 



Mav 19 

 Oct. 6 



1 Date on which temperature reached 32° F. or below is here given in lieu of other indication of date 

 on which actual killing frost occurred. 



The occurrence of frosts is markedly influenced by the local topog- 

 raphy of the land. Observations made at the experiment farm in 

 1010, 1911, and 1012 show the extent of this influence in a typical 

 location. Two registering minimum thermometers were placed 100 

 feet apart, one of them in a hollow between two long, low hills, and 

 the other on the highest point of one of the hills at an elevation of 

 13-J feet above the level of the thermometer in the hollow. Table II 

 shows the average difference in temperature during those months in 

 which comparative records have been kept. The greatest difference 

 occurred on those nights when there was little or no wind. A maxi- 

 mum difference of 10 degrees occurred on a few nights. No instance 

 is recorded when the minimum temperature was higher in the hollow 

 than on the hill. The results indicate that tender fruits and vege- 

 tables will be in less danger from injury when planted on the higher 



[Cir. 114) 



