CHAPTER XXI. 



Climate. 



A knowledge of the climate of a country is of great im- 

 portance, for upon the general weather conditions prevailing 

 throughout the year and particularly during the growing season 

 depend the kinds and in a large measure the quality and quan- 

 tity of the crops. 



The agricultural prosperity of a section depends more upon 

 the climate than upon the soil itself. Infertile soils may be 

 made productive, with our present scientific knowledge, but we 

 cannot change climatic conditions very materially. Consequently 

 the farmer who contemplates farming in a new territory with 

 which he is unfamiliar, should first make a careful study of cli- 

 matology and second, make a careful examination of the soil. 



Rainfall, humidity, sunshine, average temperature, range of 

 temperature, altitude, proximity of lakes and mountains and 

 other similar points should be carefully noted and studied before 

 selecting a location for farming. Nor should the kind of farm- 

 ing be overlooked, for if alfalfa is to be the leading crop it will 

 not need the same climate as that required by corn. The same 

 kind of crop will not always grow in different latitudes, although 

 the soil may be the same. A good wheat country may be a poor 

 corn country. 



It is very evident that there are many reasons why we 

 should study climate as well as soil. 



The Weather Bureau, the Farm and the School. 



Since 1870 the Federal Government has maintained a ser- 

 vice for the forecasting of weather conditions throughout the 

 United States. 



This work was originally designed for the benefit of naviga- 

 tion, but it has been broadened in the scope of its work until it 



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