66 ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPAETMEXT OF AGFJCULTURE. 



pared for such data and all are as nearly up to date as it is practicable 

 to keep them. 



Man}^ data on the temperatures of the country have been accumu- 

 lated during the year, particularly with regard to the maximum and 

 minimum values. Extensive compilations of the daily and weekly 

 means of these factors for the 40-year period ending with 1918, have 

 been obtained from the various stations. It is hoped opportunity will 

 be aiforded during the present j'^ear to properly analyze and interpret 

 these data and present them to the public. 



Near the close of the year steps were taken to present to the public 

 in general, but particularly for the benefit of the engineering pro- 

 fessions, through the press, more information on the daily state of the 

 moisture in the atmosphere, and at this writing these data are being 

 published for the three principal observations in practically all the 

 leading papers in the country. At the same time a revision of the 

 local station forms intended for public distribution was being con- 

 sidered by which similar data Avill be presented to the public in much 

 greater detail than heretofore. 



The extensive utilization of our accumulated records b}^ nearly 

 every class of our po^^ulation has continued during the year, and the 

 fact that practically every request for information has been promptly 

 and fully met indicates the extensive character of the data we are 

 collecting. The reputation of the Bureau for prompt service has been 

 fully maintained, as indicated by the many acknowledgments of 

 appreciation received for early arid complete responses to requests 

 for information. 



AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY. 



The activities under this section include the supervision of special 

 services maintained in the interests of agriculture in the principal 

 grain, cotton, sugar, rice, alfalfa seed, cranberry, tomato, tobacco, 

 fruit, and potato-growing districts, as well as in the great grazing 

 districts for the benefit of those interested in stock production; all 

 maintained for the collection anl dissemination of information rela- 

 tive to current Aveather conditions throughout the country, and their 

 resulting effects upon the development of crops and the progress of 

 agricultural operations. 



In addition to the above, studies are conducted on the influence of 

 weather on the development of crops, and the relation of weather and 

 climate to agricultural activities and crop yields, including the super- 

 vision and distribution of forecasts of minimum temperatures dur- 

 ing critical periods in districts where protective methods are exten- 

 sively practiced. The fruit frost-work was very successful during 

 the year, jDarticularly in the Northwestern States, and gratif3dng. 

 progress was made durinfr the yeaY in studies of special mathematical 

 methods of forecasting minimum temperatures that may be injurious 

 to fruit. 



Weather is a dominant factor in the success or failure of agricul- 

 tural or horticultural operations, and special efi'ort was made during 

 the year to apply the information collected, through the vast organ- 

 ization of special and cooperative services of the Weather Bureau, 

 to the important problem of food production in its various aspects. 



