616 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



did not amount to 0.25 in. in any 24 hours) during the last 20 years, for the 

 period from April to September, inclusive. The greatest frequency is recorded 

 for the Great Plains area and the least in the southern Appalachians. 



Meteorolog-ical reports, C. C. Georgeson {Alaska Stas. Rpt. 1914, pp. 89-96). — 

 Tabiilar monthly summaries are given of observations on temperature, precipita- 

 tion, and condition of the weather at 25 stations in different parts of Alaska 

 during 1914. 



Australian rainfall, H. A. Hunt (Rpt. Brit. Assoc. Adv. 8ci., 1914, PP- 

 439-442). — This article deals with the controlling causes and distribution of 

 rainfall in Australia. The relation of the southeast and westerly trade winds, 

 the monsoonal and southern depressions, cyclones and anticyclones, and physical 

 features of the country to the distribution of rainfall is considered in detail. 



It is shown that the isohyets describe somewhat concentric curves around 

 the central dry area of Australia, such modifications as occur being due mainly 

 to variations in elevation. During the hot season, from November to April, 

 inclusive, the northern parts of Australia are wet and the southern dry, the 

 reverse being true during the colder months, May to October. In the eastern 

 areas of the continent, however, the rainfall is distributed fairly generally 

 throughout the year. Occasionally there are heavy monsoonal rains in the 

 interior, resulting in luxuriant growth of grass and herbage. The heaviest 

 rainfall recorded occurs at Innisfail on the northeast coast of Queensland, where 

 the avei-age annual rainfall is 145 in., the maximum being 211.24 in., and the 

 minimum 69.87 in. The driest region for which records are available lies east 

 and northeast from Lake Eyre, where the average annual rainfall is less than 

 5 in. This is also the region of lowest elevation, Lake Eyre being 39 ft. below 

 sea level. The interior of Australia, which is usually considered the driest 

 region, has, as far as available records show, an annual average rainfall of 

 from 10 to 12 in. It is stated that wheat growing is safe with 10 in. of rainfall 

 from April to October, inclusive. 



In general it appears that the rainfall of Australia is usually ample for 

 pastoral and agricultural industries over two-thirds of its area. The dilferent 

 regions have distinct seasonal dry and wet periods, and the country is subject 

 in part, but never in whole, to prolonged periods when the rainfall is below 

 the seasonal average, 



" There exists apparently an oscillatory movement of the seasonal rains 

 throughout Australia about a center in the vicinity of Forbes, in New South 

 Wales." Apparently the seasonal rains in Australia are more regular than 

 has generally been supposed, and the alternating dry and wet seasons are quite 

 definitely defined. 



The ten-inch line of rainfall, T. Cheeky (Rpt. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1914, 

 pp. 645, 646). — From a study of the rainfall and the practice of dry farming in 

 the southern third of the continent of Australia the conclusion is reached that 

 dry farming does not begin until the 15-in. line of rainfall is passed, the winter 

 and the total rainfalls being nearly identical. It is stated that " the experience 

 of the last 15 years has shown: (1) That with the assistance of small amounts 

 of soluble phosphates profitable crops may be grown on less than 10 in. of 

 winter rainfall. (2) Provided the land is fairly fertile rapid growth takes 

 place in July and August, so that a considerable margin is available in autumn 

 for early and late planting. (3) The dry weather toward harvest time mate- 

 rially reduces the risk from all fungus diseases in cereals. (4) Wherever 

 wheat can be grown peas may also be grown if necessary as an alternate crop. 

 (5) Evaporation in winter is comparatively small, and consequently by fallow- 



