^4 . DRY FARMING 



13. Dry and Wet Years at Saskatoon. — The monthly 

 distribution of precipitation at Saskatoon for the two 

 years 1914 and 1915 and the average for the years 1904- 

 1914 are as follows : 



Table III. — Monthly Distribution of Precipitation at Saskatoon in 

 1914 and 1916. 



Year Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Novl. Dec. Tear 

 .40 1.65 1.88 .85 .41 1.44 2.60 1.05 .60 12.66 

 .12 1.31 1.96 2.62 1.23 1.31 .47 .48 .51 10.81 



.70 1.04 3.45 2.45 2.20 1.25 .77 .66 .68 15.17 



The total precipitation while not very different in the 

 years 1914 and 1915 was rather greater in 1914, yet the 

 wheat yield was 15 bushels less in 1914 than in 1915. 

 The former is even yet remembered as the "dry" year, 

 while the latter was with one exception the best year we 

 have ever had. The difference in yields was due chiefly 

 to the unfavorable distribution of moisture in 1914, 

 Note that the "June" rains were but little more than 

 half as heavy as the average and that the October 

 and November rains which came after harvest were 

 nearly three times as heavy as the average. The heavy 

 crop in 1915 was probably due in large measure to the 

 heavy precipitation in the fall of the preceding year. 

 This kept the crop growing well through the early sum- 

 mer of 1915, and the timely and sufficient showers of 

 late summer "filled" the heads. 



14. Temperature Necessary for Germination and Growth. 

 — The temperatures in degrees F. at which seeds 

 germinate and at which crops grow best is indicated by 

 the following data from Haberlandt : — 



