28 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



3.07. The largest fall reported west was at Minden, Kearney 

 County, which was 10.30 inches, and the smallest fall was near 

 Genoa, Platte County, it being 3.25 inches. The average for the 

 State was just 5 inches. 



Prevailing winds were from the south and southeast. 



June loth a severe storm reported from Inavale; high wind with 

 hail and rain; injuring crops and destroying buildings. Storm of 

 June 25th was severe in many parts of the State, the wind doing 

 some damage to buildings and beating down the corn. 



Crops General reports very encouraging. Wheat damaged in 

 some localities by chinch bugs. S. R. THOMPSON, Director. 



From the preceding bulletins the general character of the spring 

 months can be determined. March is often characterized, as else- 

 where, by frequently changing winds and sudden rises and falls of 

 temperature. Pleasant weather sets in in April. The genial sun- 

 shine and the bursting into life of the vegetable kingdom in this 

 stimulating climate renders this a most inspiring season. 



AUTUMNS. 



Nothing in the Nebraska climate is more notable than its pe- 

 culiar, long, mild, dry autumns. It can be seen from Dr. Childs' 

 exhibit that the average temperature for the ten years end- 

 ing with 1875, for September was 62 20', and for October 50 64', 

 and for November 35 61'. The average for the entire three 

 months for the ten years ending in 1875 is 49 49'. The signal 

 service reports the temperature at Omaha for September, 1878, 

 as 66 6', and for October, 51 i', and at North Platte for the same 

 year, for September, 64 6', and for October 44 6\ It will also 

 be observed that excessive rains seldom fall during these months. 

 The autumns are therefore exceedingly mild and long. Some- 

 times there is a short rough spell in October, but almost univer- 

 sally it is followed by mild weather which is often prolonged into 

 December, and has been known to last till January. These 

 long "Indian Summers" are here, even more than elsewhere 

 characterized by a curious haze which mellows the light of the 

 sun. It has the curious effect on "high strung" natures of rousing 

 the poetic sensibilities, and giving the weird shadowy experi- 

 ences of dream land. It is a most favorable season for toil, mental 

 and physical. The numberless things to be done on the farm 

 become, during this season, almost a pastime to the agriculturist. 

 Existence to a healthy body now is a pleasure and toil a delight. 



