METEOKOLOGY. G15 



mary of maximum, minimum, and standard tliermometor readings; montlily 

 and yearly maximum and minimum temperatures from 1SS3 to 1913, inclusive; 

 average monthly and yearly temperatures since 1SS2; and rainfall by months 

 since 1SS2. 



Response to rainfall in India, L. O. Tackard {Bui. A)ne>\ Gcoor. l^oc, )ft 

 {191'j), Ko. 2, pp. 81-99, figs. 3). — This article discusses the factoi's controlling 

 distribution and variation of rainfall in India and its relation to irrigation, crop 

 production, and man's welfare. The relation to rainfall A^ariation of topogra- 

 phy, extra-tropical cyclones, summer monsoons \vi(h their accompanying 

 cyclones, and proximity to the sea with . long-continued sea winds is briefly 

 explained. 



Among crops which require heavy rainfall or irrigation are named rice, jute, 

 tea, and coffee. Sugar cane is also grown in the wet areas. "Jute, tea, and 

 coflee differ from sugar and rice in that their areas are not extended by irriga- 

 tion but are limited to those regions in which water is supplied wholly by rain- 

 fall. . . . Crops requiring less water are wheat, millets, pulses, and cotton. 

 Wheat and cotton are injured by heavy rains, especially during the later stages 

 of growth. For this reason cotton, although a summer crop, is limited to those 

 provinces having a comparatively light rainfall, as in parts of northern India 

 and in the northern and central parts of peninsular India. . . . 



"Two crops a year are raised in many parts of India, although in many cases 

 the poor soils, combined with primitive methods of cultivation, do not permit two 

 crops to be raised upon the same land in a given year." However, " in most 

 parts of the country the rainfall, in favorable seasons, is well adapted for two 

 crops per year. . . . 



" For the reason that rainfall is always scanty in certain parts of India, and 

 that nearly all parts are subject to seasons of light rain, or of unsatisfactory dis- 

 trilmtion of rainfall, irrigation systems have been developed throughout the 

 country. The regions receiving heavy rainfall, and consequently those in which 

 chances of failure are remote, are Bengal and Assam and the strip of territory 

 west of the Western Ghats." 



Irrigation is secured by means of canals and wells, the latter supplying water 

 for only small areas (1 to 20 acres). 



Nitrog'en compounds in rain and snow, F. T. Shutt {Proc. and Trans. Roij. 

 »Sfoc. Canada, 3. ser., 8 {191^), Sect. Ill, pp. 83-87). — In continuation of previous 

 reports (E. S. li., 32, p. 419), this article records the results of studies on this 

 subject during the seven years ended February 28, 1914. 



The average amount of nitrogen brought down by the precipitation during 

 this period is shown to have been G.1S2 lbs. per acre. Approximately 70 per cent 

 of this was in the form of free and organic ammonia and 30 per cent nitrates. 

 Approximately two-thirds of the total precipitation was rain and this supplied 

 very nearly 85 per cent of the nitrogen. The observations show that the rain is 

 decidedly and invariably richer than snow in nitrogen compounds. 



It was observed that the prevalence of bush or forest fires increased the 

 ammonia content of the precipitation to a marked extent. A light rainfall 

 after a period of hot, dry weather was especially rich in nitrogen compounds, 

 Rain during thunderstorms was always found to be rich in nitrogen, but this is 

 attributed more to an increased amount of dust in the air than to nitrates pro- 

 duced by electric discharges. 



In these studies every precipitation of rain or snow that was sufficient for 

 analysis was chemically examined, it having been observed that results from 

 composite samples representing the rain of a week or a month were not reliable. 

 " The collection of the samples of rain was made on a leaden tray or basin. 



