8 



FIELD OPEEATIONS OF THE BUEEAU OF SOILS, 1907. 



at Anderson and over the principal agricultural section of the area, 

 but no data covering the latter district could be obtained. At Shasta, 

 outside the limits of the survej^, 5 miles northwest of Redding, in the 

 foot hills, at an elevation of 1,148 feet, the precipitation is 49.90 

 inches. 



During the summer local showers, sometimes accompanied by 

 thunder and lightning or hail, are of occasional occurrence. Very 

 little rain falls from May to October. During the winter showers and 

 rainy spells, sometimes continuing for two or three days, alternate with 

 periods of fair weather. The rains are usually gentle, but the pro- 

 nounced slopes carry off much that might be absorbed by the soil. 

 During the long dry period the native grasses dry up and the coun- 

 try appears somewhat barren. Much of this naturally cured grass, 

 however, is quite nutritious. The first fall rains start a new and 

 abundant growth of pasture grasses. In the more elevated parts 

 of the valley snow sometimes falls, but this is rare, and it never 

 remains on the ground for any length of time. 



The normal monthly and annual temperature and precipitation, 

 as published in the official records of the United States Weather 

 Bureau for stations at Redding and Red Bluff, are given in the follow- 

 mg table: 



Normal monthly and annual temperature and precipitation. 



The normal annual temperature, as will be observed from the above 

 table at Redding, is 62.9° and at Red Bluff 62.5° F. At Sacra- 

 mento, upon the south and 160 miles distant from Redding in an 

 air line, it is 60° or 2.5° less than at Red Bluff. July is usually the 

 hottest month, the thermometer during the summer frequently 

 having a daily maximum of more than 100° F. At Red Bluff the 

 highest recorded temperature is 114° F. While the summer tem- 

 perature is sometimes extreme the nights are usually cool and pleas- 

 ant, the relative humidity low, and hot winds less frequent than to 

 the south in the main valley. 



