40 WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND 
(a) Sunshine.—Two Government meteorological 
stations are situated in the producing area; but 
unfortunately they are very close together, so that 
observations from them cannot be considered to be 
general. Information from private sources will have 
to be considered. The wheat producing area is situated 
in a very favourable position for obtaining the maximum 
amount of sunshine. Over the years 1907-13, the average 
annual number of hours of sunshine was 2,064, showing 
a daily average of 5-65 hours, which is about 50 per 
cent of the possible amount. 
(b) Temperature.— The oceanic influences are 
recognised as the dominant feature with regard to 
both summer heat and winter cold, upon both of which 
they exercise a moderating effect. No great extremes 
of heat or cold are found on this account, and, although 
the winter is sharp, it is characterised in Canterbury by 
clear frosty nights and bright sunny days. The excellent 
nature of the summer heat promotes the growth of 
cereals to a very high degree. The following table shows 
the temperature for the four seasons in the area of 
Canterbury and Otago. 
TABLE IX. 
TEMPERATURE IN CANTERBURY AND OTAGO. 
CANTERBURY. 
Spring Summer | Autumn Winter Annual 
Mean _s.. vive 52.5 60.8 53.2 43.1 52.4 
Maximum ae 61.9 70.9 62.3 48.6 61.6 
Minimum a 48.1 50.9 44.3 35.1 43.3 
OTAGO 
Mean... ae 50.4 57.9 51.0 41.5 50.2 
Maximum sie 59.5 67.5 59.1 48.1 58.5 
Minimum ae 51.5 48.2 43.0 35.0 41.9 
Hence it will be seen that the temperature is more 
even over the seasons than is common; moreover, that 
while the summers are cool for the most part, the winters 
are mild. 
(c) Rainfall—Throughout the country rainfall varies 
