616 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, I Vol. 36 



couditions were generally favorable, except that the growth of corn was greatly 

 delayed by the long-continued cool and wet weather, especially over the northern 

 tier of States, and as a result much of the crop in those districts was injured 

 by frost. The small-grain crops, however, were among the best ever grown, 

 wheat especially making a record yield." 



The present and proposed work of the division of agricultural meteorology 

 established February 21, 1916, is quite fully explained. " While a number of 

 new lines of work will be undertaken in this new division, the bulk of its work 

 at the present time comprises former activities now brought together, coordi- 

 nated, and improved. . . . The division is to conduct investigations of the 

 effect of weather and climate upon the growth and yield of crops and will con- 

 trol the distribution of frost warnings and forecasts to special agricultural 

 interests, conduct studies for the protection of crops and orchards from frosts, 

 and, in general, supei'vise the activities of the Weather Bureau which relate 

 to agriculture and which are comprised in a number of special services," as 

 follows : Corn and wheat region service, cotton region service, sugar and rice 

 region service, special fruit region service, special tobacco service, special cat- 

 tle region service, special alfalfa service, and special temperature and storm 

 warnings for sheepmen. 



" Studies are going on as to temperature variations at different altitudes in 

 North Carolina, Oregon, Colorado, and Ohio, and investigations have been 

 continued In connection with temperature and frost forecasts for the bene- 

 fit of those fruit growers who are heating their orchards, and information has 

 been gathered as to the value of these heaters and the expense of orchard 

 protection. . . . Studies to determine the critical period of growth of corn, pota- 

 toes, wheat, hay, fruit, and other crops by mathematical and graphical correla- 

 tion methods " are being continued. Aid has been given the Massachusetts 

 Experiment Station in a study of the weather conditions at different elevations 

 and their effect upon the apple crop and of the relations between inversions in 

 temperature and the development of peach buds. 



Preliminary steps have been taken to secure the cooperation of the States 

 generally in determining " the critical period of crops and the weather that 

 has the greatest effect on crop yields, as well as on the extent of insect and 

 fungus damage. It is expected that a definite and extensive system for keep- 

 ing regular records of the different weather factors and the development of the 

 most important crops will be instituted at a large number of these stations, 

 and such preliminary work started as may be continued through a series of 

 years, and from which large results may be anticipated." 



Report of the meteorolog'ical station at Berkeley, California, for the year 

 ending June 30, 1915, W. G. Reed {Univ. Cal. Pubs., Geogr., 1 {1911), No. 10, 

 pp. 441-50^, figs. 14). — The results of observations on pressure, temperature, 

 precipitation, etc., are presented in detail for the year. 



The average pressure for the year was 30.01 in., about the average for the 

 28 yeai-s of record at this place. The mean annual temperature was 57° F., 

 practically the average for Berkeley. The highest temperature was 94"*, Sep- 

 tember 10; and the lowest, 36°, December 8. The greatest dally range was 

 41° September 10. September and October were the warmest months, and 

 December was the coldest. Frost was observed on 11 mornings In December 

 and on 3 In January. The total precipitation for the year was 30.95 in., 

 16 per cent above the average. The total number of days with measurable 

 precipitation was 87, about 30 per cent above the average. The percentage 

 of clear days was 44, of partly cloudy 25, and of cloudy 31. The greatest 

 precipitation on any rainfall day was 1.4 in. Practically all the wind was 

 from a southerly or westerly direction. 



