10 



FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1916. 



There is considerable variation in the monthly rainfall from year to 

 year, which has more or less effect on crop yields. The snowfall 

 averages nearly 42 inches annually. It is heaviest in February. 



There is an average growing season of 173 days. The average 

 date of the last killing frost in the spring is April 27, and of the first 

 in the fall, October 17. The latest date of kilUng frost recorded is 

 May 26, and the earhest, September 19. 



The following table is compiled from the records of the Weather 

 Bureau station at Hammond: 



Normal monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature and predpitation at Hammond, Lake 



County. 



AGRICULTURE. 



The first agriculture of this region consisted of the growing of 

 maize by the Indians. The earliest white settlors were fur traders. 

 The first settlement of whites in the area now embraced in Porter 

 County was made at Baileytown in 1822. A settlement was made 

 southeast of Chesterton in 1833, and this became an important 

 stopping place on a stage Une to Chicago. 



