432 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



age. The total precipitation at this station for each of the three calendar years 

 named was as follows: I'toi, 4U.0 inches; 1902, 40.2 inches; 1903, 39 12 inches. 

 The mean annual precipitation at St. Paul, the nearest important station removed 

 from the influence of the lakes and in latitude 45°, is 27.47 inches, or about 1.5 

 inches less than the amount assumed by Humboldt. These figures seem to indi- 

 cate that the lake influence is equal to an additional rainfall of about 11.70 inches 

 annually. 



In southern latitudes, the higher temperature induces a more rapid evaporation 

 of the precipitated moisture, hence in northern latitudes an inch of rain will be 

 available for a longer period for the growth and development of plants, than 

 an inch of rain would in southern latitudes, and it is evident therefore that an 

 annual amount of i)recipitation which is properly considered as excessive in north- 

 ern latitudes, would in southern latitudes be considered more or less deficient with 

 equal propriety. Furthermore, the reader should bear in mind that the soil at 

 this station and over a considerable portion of the Upper Peninsula is relatively 

 shallow, and though the loose .rock of the upper layers of the ledge which con- 

 stitutes the .subsoil affords a large storage capacity for surplus water, yet the 

 amount of raintall which can be stored away by gravitation is necessarily smaller 

 than in localities with a greater depth of soil. It is evident therefore, that the 

 soil at this station will not only be at its best during so called dry seasons, but, 

 owing to the nature of the subsoil, no vegetation is likely to suffer from lack of 

 moisture even during a protracted drought, as long as the principles of cultivation 

 are rigidly applied. 



Winter began later than usual, the first measurable snow falling November 24, 

 though the ground was bare again December 2. The ground for the first time 

 was frozen to an average depth of five inches when permanent snow fell on 

 December 3. Careful investigations on December 9 showed that the ground was 

 entirely thawed out again, the depth of snow by that time averaging ten inches. 

 The greatest depth of snow (2G inches) was recorded on February IS. 



The spring season was backward, for while only isolated traces of snow were 

 left on the ground April 9, it took until May 3 before they had entirely dis- 

 api)eared. All vegetation developed rapidly after May 15, and the usual quota of 

 spring frosts were recorded on May 29, 30 and 31, and June 1 and 12, none except 

 the last having caused any appreciable damage. 



The summer season was abnormally cold except July and excessive rains pre- 

 vailed except during June. High winds during July seriously maimed a number 

 of fruit trees and destroyed several others, thus suggesting the necessity for 

 windbreaks in this region when the timber is removed. 



Two frosts occurred September G and 29, and were followed by several light 

 and heavy frosts during October, the first killing frost, October 24. A few flakes 

 of snow fell October 23 and 2fj and November 5, and the first permanent snow fell 

 upon unfrozen ground November 11. The following table gives the record of 

 mean temperature and precipitation during the growing season: 



