METEOROLOGY CLIMATOLOGY. 235 



It is suggested that the proper authorities make a study of this problem for the pur- 

 pose of learning whether such introduction would be desirable. 



Owls in their relation to agriculture (Jour. Jamaica Agr. Soc, 8 ( 1904 \, No. 8, 

 lil>. ./.'/'.;.''/). —Brief notes are given on the habits of owls with especial reference to 

 their economic importance. As a rule these birds are believed to render considerable 

 assistance to agriculture in the destruction of injurious animals. 



METEOROLOGY— CLIMATOLOGY. 



Relation of weather to crops, A. J. McClatchie (Arizona Sta. Bui. 48, pp. 345- 

 456, pi. /, fig. 1 ). — This bulletin summarizes and discusses observations at the experi- 

 ment farm near Phoenix during the past six years. The principal facts recorded 

 are in brief as follows: 



"The climate of an arid inland region is characterized by greater extremes of heat 

 and cold than that of a humid coast region in the latitude, the winters being cooler 

 ami the summers warmer, and the difference between the temperatures of day and 

 night greater. The climate at the station farm is a typical inland climate, and very 

 trying on a large number of crops grown in the same latitude in a moist climate. If 

 planted at the proper time, nearly all the crops grown in the temperate regions may 

 be grown here more or less successfully. 



"The small grains do well during winter, Indian corn fairly well during spring 

 and fall, and Egyptian corn does well during summer. Few legumes are profitably 

 grown here, peas doing fairly well during winter and cowpeas fairly well during 

 summer. Cotton and sugar beets grow fairly well, but require a great deal of water 

 at a time of the year when it is ordinarily scarce. 



" The forage crops grown most successfully are alfalfa, small grains, and sorghum, 

 the three furnishing green feed throughout the year. The most useful green manur- 

 ing crop is what is known here as 'sour clover,' and to botanists as Melilotus indica. 

 Most garden vegetables can be grown here quite successfully during winter and 

 spring, those for which the climate is especially unsuited being winter squashes, 

 beans, and rhubarb. 



" No small fruits are generally grown with success, though strawberries were for- 

 merly grown in abundance and are still grown to a limited extent. Of deciduous 

 fruits, grapes, peaches, apricots, plums and pears are successfully grown, while cher- 

 ries and apples are grown with difficulty. The only nut-producing tree that thrives 

 here is the almond. Citrus fruits do fairly well, but have not proven to be a relia- 

 ble crop for profit. Olives and dates seem especially well adapted to the climate, 

 and promise to be profitable crops. The cottonwood is the most easily grown timber 

 tree, though the ash and a few species of Eucalypts grow quite well. 



" Records from instruments located at different elevations from the ground show 

 the importance of taking the situation of instruments into consideration in judging 

 of the effect of recorded temperatures upon crops. Minimum temperatures average 

 four or five degrees lower in government shelter 5 ft. from the ground than in the 

 same shelter 50 ft. from the ground, and about three degrees lower at the ground 

 than at the former point. Maximum temperatures average about three degrees 

 higher 5 ft. from the ground than at 50 ft. from the ground, and ten to twelve degrees 

 higher a few inches above the ground than at former location. 



" The annual and the diurnal range of temperature is greatest at the surface of the 

 ground, and decreases from there upwards and downwards. The lowest recorded 

 temperature at 5 ft. underground has been 53; at 10 ft. underground 56, and at 15 ft. 

 58. The highest temperatures at these points have been 88, 76, and 73. Evapora- 

 tion from a water surface ranges from a little over an inch per month during the 

 coolest, dampest part of the year to over 10 inches during the warmest and driest 

 part. 



