196 



DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



other hand, some regions are found in which the temperature is so high 

 wheat does not thrive, although other crops give a maximum production 

 under those conditions. For this reason, the crops must be selected with 

 reference to their adaptation to the range in temperature of any particular 

 region. 



In the same way the rainfall of any given region may be sufficient for 

 certain kinds of crops but totally inadequate for crops which have been 

 developed in more humid regions, and require, in consequence, larger 

 amounts of water for their development. Hence, the term "dry land 

 crops," meaning those that have so adapted themselves as to be able to 

 give a fair production with* a very moderate rainfall. 



I come now to the conditions more closely connected with our work 

 in the Great Plains. 



Much has been heard recently regarding the change of climate of the 

 Great Plains, especial emphasis being placed on the increased rainfall. 

 Many of these statements have doubtless been made in good faith based 

 upon the conditions observed in some one locality. If one state has an 

 exceptional rainfall for two years in succession, and a portion of another 

 state has an unusuall}^ large precipitation for the two succeeding years, 

 it is easy to see how the report of a changed climate and an increased 

 precipitation maj^ arise without any real foundation in fact for the area 

 as a whole. 



Thus we hear of the region where the precipitation has been high. 

 As soon as the precipitation falls in that region they center it at some 

 other region where the precipitation is high. 



If I ma}^ have the slides now I will show the rainfall in the Great 

 Plains for the past thirty years. 



(Here the speaker illustrated his remarks by the use of the stereop- 

 ticon.) 



