CHAPTER II. 



THE CLIMATE OF WESTERN CANADA 



In Its Relation To Crop Production. 



Under good systems of management three sets of 

 factors determine the productiveness of crops in any 

 region : 



1st. The climatic conditions. 

 2nd. The soil conditions, and 

 3rd. The suitability of the crops grown. 



4. Climatic Conditions the Chief Causes of Low Yields. — 

 In the year 1914 the small amount and the unfavorable 

 monthly distribution of precipitation caused a crop fail- 

 ure in the drier parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In 

 1907 and 1911 early fall frosts lowered the net profit 

 on the western grain crops to perilously near the zero 

 mark. In 1918 a July frost completely destroyed many 

 thousands of acres of wheat in the blossom stage in the 

 northern parts of the Prairie Provinces; while in 1916 

 a combination of high temperatures, high precipitation 

 and high atmospheric humidity in the months of June, 

 July and August provided very favorable conditions 

 for the development and spread of rust and thus lowered 



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