Practical Fig Culture in Arizona 



prevails, little precipitation occurs, sunshine is almost continuous, 

 and the relative humidity is very low. 



Temperatures.— Over the low elevations, which are confined 

 mainly to the southwestern portion of the State, and which include 

 the valleys of the lower Colorado and lower Gila rivers, the climate 

 is arid and the range of temperature between day and night is con- 

 siderable. The heat of summer is torrid, frequently rising above 

 100° F. and at rare intervals to as much as 120° F. in the shade. Over 

 the lower portions of this area the temperature seldom reaches the 

 freezing point and frosts are rare. At higher elevations, and 

 especially in the plateau sections where air drainage is restricted, 

 the clear sky intensifies radiation and the temperatures of spring 

 frequently drop below the freezing point. At extreme elevations 

 the temperat^ire may fall below zero. 



The following data are introduced in order to show the varia- 

 tions that occur from season to season or during a single season. 



TABLE I. — MEAN, LOWEST, AND HIGHEST TEMPERATURES; EARLIEST 

 DATE OF KILLING FROST IN AUTUMN AND LATEST IN SPRING; 

 YEAR, AND RANGE. OF DAYS IN GROWING SEASON IN EIGHTEEN 

 WIDELY SCATTERED SECTIONS IN WHICH FIG TREES PRODUCE 

 CROPS. 



