1900.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 75 



electrodes was effected by placing them in soil in boxes so 

 arranged as to provide for a proper diffusion throughout the 

 soil of water as added, taking the resistances and computing 

 the percentage of moisture from the weight. When after- 

 ward used in the field these electrodes gave more satisfactory 

 results than had before been attained. The results for the 

 corn-growing season of the current year have been worked 

 out. The observations will be continued next year, for pur- 

 poses of comparison. 



The means of the various weather elements for each month 

 and year, for the ten years from 1889 to 1898 inclusive, have 

 been tabulated, and normal conditions for the period de- 

 duced. These results are of especial interest for the purpose 

 of noting departures from normal conditions. The tabula- 

 tions, together with other data of interest, will be found on 

 the following pages. 



Meteorological Observatory of the Hatch Experi- 

 ment Station, Massachusetts Agricultural College, 

 Amherst. 



General Summary^ 1889-98. 



Latitude of observatory, 42° 23' 48.5'' N. ; longitude, 72° 

 31' 10" W. Elevation of ground at base of observatory 

 above mean low water, Boston harbor, 223 feet, as determined 

 by levels connecting with those of the Boston & Maine Rail- 

 road. The standard barometer is 50.5 feet above the ground 

 and 273.5 feet above sea level. The Draper self-recording 

 barometer is 51.5 feet above ground. The cup anemometer, 

 pressure anemometer, anemoscope and sun thermometer are 

 located on top of the tower, 72 feet above the ground. All 

 temperatures are taken in the thermometer shelter on the 

 campus, about 4 feet above ground and 220 feet above sea 

 level. The standard rain gauge is on the campus, about 2 

 feet above the ground and 218 feet above sea level. 



