TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION M. 739 
4. How much of (1) time, (2) sunlight, (3) warmth, (4) humidity of the air, 
(5) rainfall, is required for the best crop of any kind for the best forest growth? 
5. What is accumulated temperature, and what is its use in agriculture? 
Why is the temperature of 42° F. selected as the base for calculating accumulated 
temperature? Is the same base suitable for all crops? 
The Variation of Seasons. 
6. What effects do the differences of season as represented by rainfall, 
-moisture, air temperature, earth temperature, snow, sunshine, have upon the 
crops in respect of (1) quantity, (2) time of harvest? 
7. Is the effect different according to the nature of the soil? 
8. What deviations of the seasons from the normal represent (1) a good year 
for any particular crop? (2) a bad year? 
9. Can treatment of the soil protect against the effect of adverse seasons? 
10. Can any economy be secured by adjusting the courses according to a 
knowledge of the weather of past seasons, and their known influence upon the 
various crops? 
11. What action should be taken in the case of ground being (1) under snow, 
(2) under water, (3) dry, for an exceptionally long period? 
12. What amount of rain can fall within a day, two days, three days, a 
week, a fortnight, a month, without causing floods? in winter? after a frost? 
in summer? 
13. What is the local relation between rainfall and water supply in wells and 
rivers? 
14. What is the longest drought that can be supported without suspension of 
farming operations of various kinds (growing crops or stock) on chalk or porous 
subsoils? on clay or non-porous subsoils? 
15. How long can young growth do without water before hope of recovery 
has to be given up? 
16. What is the relation between the prevalent diseases of plants and animals 
and the previous weather? 
Inclement or Tempestuous Weather. 
17. What is the actual and percentage annual loss of crops on account of 
inclement weather? 
18. What are the facts and figures upon which the rates of premium for 
insurance against damage by rain, hail, snow, frost, lightning, fogs, and drought 
are based ? 
19. What are the earliest dates in autumn and the latest dates in spring 
when killing frosts have been experienced? How do they depend upon 
situation ? 
20. What precautions other than insurance can be taken against the loss of 
crops or stock? 
The following Papers were then read :— 
1. ‘Surface’ Climate. By W. Lawrence Batts, M.A. 
Investigation of the ‘Surface Climate’ is of immediate interest to most, 
biologists. Such components as temperature, humidity, and wind are obviously 
altered amongst vegetation. The extent of this alteration, within even a few 
inches of altitude, is not fully realised by all students of plant physiology, agri- 
culture, and oecology. A development of this investigation is the natural result 
of greater precision in plant physiology, entailing attempts at elucidation of 
physiological processes under the multiplex factors of field conditions. 
A striking example has been recently demonstrated by the writer with regard 
to the cotton crop in Egypt, in that a puff of wind arising during an otherwise, 
calm, clear night will raise the temperature of the crop by more than 5° C. Since; 
the growth of the plant is controlled chiefly by night-temperature, such a rise is 
not without importance. 
The explanation lies in the removal of air which has been chilled by radia- 
3B 2 
