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Farmers' Picnc at Moccasin. 



sylvania. The snowfall in the valleys is less than in either of those states; there is 

 more sunshine than in any Middle, Eastern or New England state, and the great 

 mountains, ribbed with veins of gold, silver and copper and crowned with majestic 

 forests, are but gigantic framework in which are set great picture valleys, bench lands 

 and foothills, fertile as the Valley of the Nile, and which have never yet refused to 

 yield bounteous harvests when touched by the hand of industry and nourished with 

 water." 



Randall J. Condon, superintendent of the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, who 

 for some years resided in Helena, has written for a geography used in the public 

 schools, a brief but comprehensive description of Montana. From personal knowledge, 

 he discusses the climate as follows: 



"It is doubtful if there is another state in the Union where the climate, taken the 

 year round, is so delightful as that of Montana. Its northern latitude is more than 

 offset by the mild westerly winds, which temper the climate of the mountains and 

 plains and yet do not bring excessive moisture. 



"Fogs are almost unknown, and on the days when the temperature is low there 

 is not that penetrating chill which is felt in the more humid states. 



"As in any extreme northern state, the thermometer occasionally records a low 

 midwinter temperature, but the cold spells are short. While they remain there is 

 practically no wind; the air is dry and the sunshine clear. The ordinary outdoor 

 occupations may be carried on in winter with little inconvenience. On the other 

 hand, the summer temperatures are never oppressive, and heat prostrations are un- 

 known. The temperature in the middle of the long summer days may rise higher than 

 in the states further south, but with the coming of night the cold mountain breez' 

 brings a delightful change." 



The following comparison of the monthly and annual mean temperatures of the 

 states of Ohio, New York, Wisconsin and Montana is of interest: 



The United States weather bureau maintains an up-to-date station in Helena, 

 which collects and compiles climatic records from all parts of the state. Mr. H. P- 

 Alps, the meteorologist in charge of the Montana station, has very kindly submitted the 

 tables which appear on the following pages and which show the monthly mean, mini- 

 mum and maximum temperatures and the monthly and annual precipitation reported 

 from various parts of Montana during the year 1915: 



