
CAPABILITIES WITH REFERENCE TO SETTLEMENT. 285 
659. Prof. Thomas estimates the rainfall for the Spring and Summer 
months, on the western portion of the plains, at only 7°34 inches; the 
deficiency of which will at once be apparent, whether compared with the 
estimates given above; or with the rain fallin other and better known 
regions. During the same period, New York receives 23 inches, Cincin- 
nati 25, Missouri 26, Michigan 18.* At the town of Winnipeg, the 
average fall of rain during the spring and summer months, derived from 
the observations of the three past years, is 15:96 inches. 
660. The following detailed table of rainfall at the last mentioned 
locality, for which I am indebted to Prof. Kingston, gives a better idea of 
its distribution throughout the year, and it will be apparent that the 
greatest precipitation takes place at the seasons when it is most required 
for agriculture. 
ow 

a s/ (3218) & | 2 begs 
a ca . = re ra 2 _ “sx 
Year) = | S% 3 |. 1 @/|&/Siga|¢g S Ss = 
=| ~ o _ x o ~ ~ 2 fo) Ag Q A _ a >) 
s{olel|ERlel(siaglPleisis/3]/ 8 13s] 2 
2 a ae ae a ed oe ae = i = = a 
18720: ai 00/0-2 0|3° pent [ 80\1- os 85|7-25/1-5510-00/0. 00) 21-62 | 8.57 |30.19 
18730: kia 00'0-00/0-87|\2-383:- or ss 17|/2°22'0-02'0-00'0.00) 13°58! 3.51 117.09 
oe. 00'0°45/0-02)1- nine -35/3- m3: 35/1-73'0°04/0-00'0.00' 15-00) 3. 29 18.29 



The precipitation in the Red River Valley would appear to be least near 
the Boundary-line, as at Pembina the average for three years is stated to 
be 13°16 inches. In 1873, it was 14185 inches, against 17:09 at Winne- 
peg, while at Fort Abercrombie, 180 miles south of the forty-ninth 
parallel, it was about 15°5, and at fort Wadsworth, 50 miles further 
south, 29-45 ; the average for five years at the latter place being 18-95,+ 
or probably about the same as at Winnipeg. 
661. Prof. Dana’s general means of total precipitation for different 
areas of the continent may be compared with the above. It is estimated 
that the eastern portion of the continent, from the Gulf States to 
Labrador, including the greater part of New England, New York, and the 
Atlantic States, and Tennassee and Kentucky; receive 40 to 45 inches or 
more. Michigan 30 inches. A large part of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
and New York, toward the St. Lawrence, 33 to 40 inches. Regions be- 
yond the Mississippi, 25 to 15 and 10 inches. 
* See Prof. Thomas in U.S. Geol. Surv, Territ., 1870. 
+ See Major Farquhar’s Report on the Red River, 
