172 



THIRD ANNUAL SESSIONS 



over the eastern portion of the state, than over the western counties. In 

 Utah, less than 40 per cent of the average annual precipitation falls 

 during that period, March to August, inclusive. 



Precipitation Reliable. 



"The April-May precipitation for the state is a very reliable factor. 

 During the last 28 years, there has been but one year during which the 

 precipitation at Cheyenne has not been in excess of 2.50 inches, for the 

 two months, April and May, and that was in 1886 when it amounted to 

 only 1.44 inches. 



Topographical Effect. 



"The varied topography of the state gives a wide variation in the 

 temperature conditions of the various sections of the state. In some sec- 

 tions, the growing season is from four to fi-ve months in duration, and 

 summer temperature rises to 95 or 100 degrees or even higher; over 

 some of the higher agricultural districts, the growing season is short, 

 summer temperatures never rise above 95 degrees, frosts may be ex- 

 perienced any month, and only the hardier grains and vegetables can be 

 successfully grown. 



Sunshine Effect. 



"The percentage of sunshine in Wyoming is much in excess of the 

 percentage which is received throughout the Mississippi valley, and this 

 excess of sunshine is a very important factor to be considered when dis- 

 cussing the agricultural possibilities of the semi-arid region. The actual 

 number of hours of sunshine which a plant receives during its growing 

 period has never, I believe, received its proper share of con- 

 sideration when the length of the growing season has been 

 under discussion; other conditions being the same, that plant 

 will make the best progress and development which receives the 

 greatest amount of sunshine. The percentage of sunshine received 

 throughout the central and upper Mississippi valley is about 45 per cent 

 of the possible amount; in Wyoming, and most of the semi-arid region, 

 the percentage is 60 or above. That is, for every three hours of sunshine 

 which is received in the Mississippi valley, we receive four or more in 

 this section of the country. Thus, if we consider the progress which 

 should be made by growing crops by considering only the one element 

 of climate, the sunshine, the crops in the semi-arid region should make 

 as much progress in three months as the same crops would make in 

 four months in the Mississippi valley. 



"I believe that the high percentage of sugar in the beets which are 

 raised in this western country is due to the high percentage of sunshine 

 which they receive during the'r period of growth. I do not wish to 

 carry the discussion of this subject further, but I wish to say again that 

 I believe that this subject has not received the consideration that it 

 should. 



