716 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



Climatological data for the United States by sections (V. 8. Dept. Agr., 

 Weather Bur. Climat. Data, 5 (1918), Nos. 11, pp. 10k, P^. 5, figs. 2; 12, pp. 211, 

 pis. 4< fiff s - 2). — These volumes contain brief summaries and detailed tabular 

 statements of climatological data for each State for November and December, 

 1918, respectively. 



Thirty-year synopsis: Meteorological observations made at Berkeley from 

 July 1, 1887, to June 30, 1917, B. 11 Vabnet (Univ. Cal. Pubs. Geogr., 2 

 (1919), No. 1, pp. 19, figs. 7). — This synopsis was made in accordance with the 

 custom of summarizing the climatic data of Berkeley, Cal., at five-year inter- 

 vals, and contains the same kind of data presented in the same way as in 

 previous reports (E. S. R., 31, p. 316). 



The weather of the year 1917, A. J. Connor (Statis. Tear Book Prov. 

 Quebec, 1918, pp. 99-109, figs. 8). — Observations on temperature, precipitation, 

 and sunshine at various stations in the Province of Quebec are summarized 

 in tables. The method, described in a previous report (E. S. R., 38, p. 716), of 

 combining temperature data with rainfall data to produce a weather index for 

 each month and each station is applied to the data here recorded in a serie3 

 of maps giving the value of such indexes for Quebec and the adjacent portions 

 of neighboring provinces. A modification of the method of preparing such 

 indexes for the month of September is explained. 



On warm and cold summers, G. Hellmann (Abs. in Set Aba., Sect. A — Phus., 

 22 (1919), No. 254, P- 57).— "A new method of climatological classification of 

 summers is developed and applied to the long series of observations at Berlin. 

 In the last 90 years in which extremes of temperature bave been determined 

 by maximum and minimum thermometers, the hottest summers were those of 

 1834, 1868, 1911, and the coldest were those of 1840. 1844, 1871, 1913, 1916. 

 The conditions favorable for hot summers arc rery similar to tbose favorable 

 for cold winters." 



Phenological observations during 1917 and 1918, H. Bos (Culturn, SO 

 (1918), No. 86',, pp. 36SS70).— The usual observations, mainly on forest and 

 fruit trees and shrubs, at 21 places in Holland are recorded and briefly dis- 

 cussed. 



The influence of the weather on the yield of wheat. A. Howard (Agr. Jour. 

 India. 11 (1916), No. 4, pp. S51S59). — It is shown that the major climatic fac- 

 tors affecting the yield of wheat In India are the amount and distribution of 

 rainfall, especially the latter. Next in importance to rainfall is the soil tem- 

 perature, it being especially important that the soil and subsoil shall have cooled 

 down sufficiently before wheat is seeded. 



The Australian environment (especially as controlled by rainfall), G. Tay- 

 lor (Advisor;/ Council Fci. and Indus., Aust., Mem. 1 (1918), pp. 188, pis. 18, 

 fifis. 167). — This is a detailed account of "a regional study of the topography, 

 drainage, vegetation, and settlement, and of the character and origin of the 

 rains" of Australia. It is the third of a series of memoirs dealing with the 

 climatic control of settlement in Australia. 



An effort is fust made to explain the solar control of the march of the tropi- 

 cal rain belt and the structure of the monsoon in Australia. The normal or 

 average conditions in the various regions are then shown, as an aid to the fore- 

 caster, the regions where forecasting is simple being distinguished from those 

 where it is more difficult. As a result, a " rain reliability " map is given which 

 shows where the rainfall is dependable and where erratic, and is of special 

 agricultural as well as meteorological value. Rainfall uniformity is also charted, 

 winch shows where continuous rainy months are to be expected. The distribu- 

 tion of vegetation is dealt with at length. "It is the chief response of nature 





