46 Agricultural Manual 



As is usual, the western part of the state suffered more than 

 did the eastern part, the total for the three months in some locali- 

 ties bordering on Lake Ontario being less than 3 inches. 



The drought of 1008 occurred later in the season, beginning 

 on August 23, and continuing, -with the exception of a slight break 

 on September 28 and 29 which produced no relief, until October 

 23, a period of 61 days. During a period of 36 days, from August 

 23 to September 27, there were 13 days on which no rain fell at 

 any of the 125 recording stations in the state, and 7 days on which 

 a light shower occurred at only one station. The water supply 

 for most cities and towns, particularly in the interior, was greatly 

 reduced, and in some cases entirely exhausted. 



A drought lasting 40 days occurred in April, May, and June, 

 1903, and another of about 50 days in the same months in 1013; 

 but, coming early in the season, when the loss by evaporation was 

 not great, and being followed by copious rains during the latter 

 part of June, the results were not serious. 



SNOWFALL 



The average annual snowfall for the state as a whole is about. 

 65 inches, but it varies greatly in different parts of the state. It 

 is greatest, nearly ISO inches, in Jefferson County immediately 

 to the west of Lake Ontario, and least, 25 to 30 inches, over Long 

 Island. For the other divisions of the state the annual fall of 

 snow is approximately as follows: Hudson Valley, from about 

 40 inches over the southern part to about 70 inches over the north- 

 ern; Mohawk Valley, 80 to 100 inches; Northern Plateau, 80 to 

 160 inches; Champlain Valley. 40 inches over the northern part 

 to about 70 inches over the southern; St. Lawrence Valley, except 

 the southern part of Jefferson County, 50 to 60 inches; the Great 

 Lakes, along Lake Ontario, 40 to 80 inches, and along Lake Erie, 

 50 to 70 inches; Eastern and Western plateaus, 50 to 100 inches; 

 Central Lakes. 40 to 80 inches. 



Snow occurs usually from October to April, inclusive, but snow 

 has been recorded both in May and September. The month of 

 February has the greatest average snowfall. 



