49 



State, without the aid of meteorological instruments. By comparing 

 the normals obtained by this method with those recorded at our princi 

 pal meteorological stations it has been shown that where the local con- 

 ditions are similar there is but very little difference between the 

 estimated and recorded normals. Indeed, it is believed that the nor- 

 mals obtained by this method are quite as useful in furnishing evidence 

 for the determination of life zone areas and boundaries as is voluntary 

 meteorological data, which at best is far too meager for the purpose, and 

 often entirely unreliable. The method I have adopted for estimating 

 the normal temperature of a place may be briefly outlined as follows: 

 The recorded daily temperatures, or sum of heat, from April to Sep- 

 tember, inclusive, for a long series of years, at a given meteorological 

 station at the southern boundary of the State, is reduced to sea level 

 by adding the degrees of temperature due to altitude. The normal 

 temperature of the same period at any other place in the State is then 

 taken to be equal to the degrees of temperature due to the elevation of 

 the place above sea level and the degrees and minutes of latitude north 

 of the station, minus the reduced normal. This gives an approximate 

 normal, which may be subsequently corrected for local influences of 

 soil, exposure, river valleys, etc., by phenological and biological records 

 compared with similar records at another place of known normal tem- 

 perature. The table I have prepared, to show the calculated, or esti- 

 mated, normals for each 200-foot contour of elevation in belts of 15' of 

 latitude across the State between latitudes 37° lb' and 40° 45', pre- 

 sents some interesting evidence of the normal temperature of different 

 sections of the State and the range and boundaries of the life zones, so 

 far as determined by laws of temperature. It indicates that the nor- 

 mal temperature of the season of growth and reproduction in West 

 Virginia ranges from 69.4° at the lowest southern elevations to 53.3° at 

 the highest elevations. It also shows that the boundaiies between the 

 several life zones do not follow regular contours of elevation, but so far 

 as determined by temperature, they rise southward at an average rate 

 of about 100 feet for each 15' of latitude. 



In the discussion of this paper Mr. Smith called attention to the fact 

 that in the use of kerosene Mr. Hopkins's experience conformed with 

 his own in New Jersey and was quite at variance with those obtained 

 by Mr. Johnson in Maryland. He suggested the setting aside of an 

 hour for the discussion of the subject of the use of kerosene. No action 

 was taken, but an informal discussion followed, participated in by 

 Messrs. Johnson, Alwood, Smith, Marlatt, Osborn, and Howard. The 

 discussion was of considerable importance, and a statement has been 

 obtained from most of the participants, detailing their remarks sub- 

 stantially as given, as follows: 

 7184— No. 17 4 



