20 DRY FARMING 



seed bed in a good moist condition at seeding time, 

 while the dry autumn results (a) in unusually favor- 

 able conditions for harvesting, curing and threshing 

 grain crops, (b) in seriously lessening the amount of 

 fall pasturage secured from perennial crops, and (c) in 

 lessening the value of fall plowing as a means of con- 

 serving moisture and causing weed seeds to germinate. 



It is interesting to note also that, as compared with 

 either Toronto or Vancouver, (see map), while our total 

 precipitation is much less, the monthly "distribution" 

 is very favorable. In fact, with either the Vancouver or 

 Toronto type of distribution here, we should be unable 

 to produce crops profitably. 



The monthly distribution and average annual snow- 

 fall at representative points is as follows: — 



Table II.- — Monthly Distribution of, and Average Annual Snow- 

 fall* , 



Station Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July 



Calgary 4.9" 6.3" 7.1" 3.8" 2.4" 



Edmonton 6.0 



Medicine Kat 6.8 



Prince Albert 9.0 



Qu'Appelle 5.8 



Winnipeg 8.7 



Station 



Calgary 



Edmonton 



Medicine Hat 



Prince Albert 



Qu'Appelle 



Winnipeg 



The average depth of snow in the southern parts of all 

 three prairie provinces is clearly indicated in the snow- 

 fall map. The melting of the snow is more frequent and 



* From "The Climate of Canada", by Stupart. 



