SOME EFFECTS OF THE DROUTH 243 



in such small quantities as to be of little benefit to vegetation. Weather 

 records have been kept at Lincoln for thirty-two years, and this is the 

 lightest rainfall ever recorded for ninety-two days at this time of year. 

 The normal precipitation for this period is 11.33 inches. 



The temperature was high for the last part of June and the first half 

 of July, but the first of the higher temperatures were recorded between 

 July 13 and 17. These five days were very hot, the maximum tempera- 

 ture ranging from 102 degrees F. to 109 degrees F. More moderate 

 temperature followed these first blistering days for about one week, and 

 then the remarkable hot period began. High temperatures prevailed 

 with hardly a break from July 26 to September 7 or 8. During these 

 forty-four days there were twenty-three days when the maximum tem- 

 perature was 100 degrees F. or more, and it was below 90 degrees F. on 

 only seven days. On an additional number of these days the tempera- 

 ture went to 97 degrees to 99 degrees F. During the whole period from 

 June 8 to September 8 there were twenty-nine days with a temperature 

 of 100 degrees F. or higher. 



The relative humidity was low at various times during this long 

 continued "hot wave," and the conditions favoring desiccation were ac- 

 cordingly greatly magnified. Add to all these rigorous climatic condi- 

 tions the influence of a strong wind which prevailed at times during the 

 heated season, and this region was at the mercy of the most extremely 

 dry and protracted summer weather on record. 



The most important effect of the drouth is reflected in the greatly 

 reduced yield of a number of the leading field, forage, and garden crops, 

 the products for which the territory is renowned. Fortunately the yield 

 of winter wheat was not .seriously impaired because that grain was so 

 far advanced toward maturity at the beginning of drouthy conditions that 

 there was plenty of moisture in the soil (from a very promising spring) 

 to satisfy the needs of that particular crop. In fact, it appears that the 

 yield of winter wheat for the year 1913 was considerably in excess of 

 the average for practically all of the drouth-stricken territory west of 

 the Mississippi. 



The second and third cuttings of alfalfa were, however, much less 

 than normal for the region as a whole. Some farmers secured a very 

 low return from the third crop of this legume. The yield of potatoes 

 and other less important garden vegetables was also greatly affected by 

 the hot dry days of the latter part of the vegetative season, although in 

 certain parts of the region potatoes are yielding heavily. 



Corn was the crop which suffered most, and since the prosperity of 

 the country is so often figured with reference to the yield of this crop, 

 the effects of the drouth appear unusually severe. Except in a few por- 

 tions of this state (Nebraska) the yield of "King Corn" was very greatly 

 diminished, and in some parts, where at least some corn usually grows, 

 absolutely no corn will be harvested. 



One of the most noticeable effects of the drouth upon the native plant 

 life was seen in the shortening of the period of vegetative growth and 



