190 W. D. P'UNKHOUSER 



some extremes occurred which offered excellent opportunity for observa- 

 tions in the field. The summer of 1913, for example, was unusually dry. 

 Concerning this drought the United States Weather Bureau reports:^ 



The drought of 1913 was remarkable both in its duration and in the time of its occurrence, 

 covering nearly three months and extending well over the maturing period of important crops. 

 It began to retard the growth of vegetation quite generally by the second week in June, and, 

 in spite of occasional rains, became almost gradually worse until the 22d or 23d of August, 

 when heavy rains brought decided reHef in most parts of the State. In some sections, how- 

 ever, the drought remained unbroken until in September — so late that no amount of rain- 

 fall could bring the stunted crops to maturity. 



In many sections of the State pastures failed completely and cattle and horses had to be 

 fed full winter rations for several weeks. Almost the entire State suffered some loss in pas- 

 tures and more or less reduction in the yield in staple crops, particularly of those that mature 

 in the latter part of the season, such as corn, buckwheat, pears, apples, peaches, and fall 

 potatoes. In many localities one or more crops were reported as being practically failures. 

 In some of the central and eastern counties the water supply was so reduced that it became 

 difficult to secure enough for the most urgent needs in cities and villages, the use of water for 

 sprinkling lawns and flushing streets having been discontinued, while farmers in many places 

 were obliged to haul water from a distance, as most wells, springs, and creeks were dry. A 

 number of correspondents report that wells and streams became dry that were never before 

 known to fail. 



An examination of the precipitation record shows that a remarkable deficiency in rainfall 

 was experienced in most parts of the State. 



The average precipitation in the basin is slightly less than that for the 

 stations just outside of the basin, with the exception of the city of Bing- 

 hamton. Like the temperature record, the precipitation record shows 

 some interesting extremes and variations, among which are the following: 



Mean annual precipitation, 34 inches 



Average number of days with 0.01 inch or more, 155 in a year 



Heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours, 4.16 inches, September 10, 1890 



Most rainfall in one week, 5.56 inches, September 8-13, 1890 



Most rainfall in one month, 8.14 inches, August, 1885 



Least rainfall in one month, 0.3 inch, May, 1903, and March, 1910 



Driest summer (June, July, and August), 1910, 5.15 inches 



Wettest summer, 1892, 17.04 inches 



In the report of the local weather bureau for September, 1914,^ is found 



an interesting table giving the amount of rainfall at excessive rates during 



the last fifteen years. The dates noted which appear in the course of 



this study are the following: 



One inch or more an hour, 1.09, June 28, 1914 



1.08, August 20, 1914 

 Most in five minutes, 0.47, June 28, 1914 

 Most in ten minutes, 0.92, June 28, 1914 

 Most in fifteen minutes, 1.05, June 28, 1914 



' U. S. Weather Bureau. Monthly weather review 41: 1133. 1913. 



* Climatic summary for Ithaca, New York, with comparative data for other places in New York and 

 near-by States. U. S. Weather Bureau, Ithaca, New York. September, 1914. 



