330 The American Geologist. June, isdo 
latitude. They are, however, of rave occurrence, making their 
first appearance in the latter part of December and disappear- 
ing the first half of April. They last generally from two to 
three days of which the second day is most severe. Of course 
it must be understood that this country frequently has winds 
blowing from the north, but on account of a higher tempera- 
ture in other seasons they are not uncomfortable. The pre- 
vailing winds in this section come from the west and south- 
west, blowing almost throughout the year, refreshing during 
the hottest days of the period. The nights are cool and pleas- 
ant, due to a generally cloudless sky and a rapid radiation of 
heat. Though we have before us tables kept since 1868 at this 
place, a general idea as to the points of the compass from 
which the winds blow may be well formed from the inserted 
tables covering the years from 1886 to the present. 
Teynpcrature — Is so important that alone it has often been 
made a ground of classification of climate. An equable cli- 
mate is understood to have no excessive diurnal variations 
and from the following tables which show the maximum and 
minimum and average temperature for the last 20 years, the 
climate of this country may well be called equable ; and, as 
in this long term of years, the difference between the hottest 
and coldest month of the year is not excessive, it must also be 
termed limited ; both favorable conditions for the inhabitants. 
The following exhaustive tables will show this sufficiently. 
Rainfall. — The amount of atmospheric precipitation is one 
of the most important factors in the climate of a country, as 
the humidity of the air greatly depends on it. It is hardly neces- 
sary to mention the great importance of a sufficient amount 
of rainfall. It determines, with the soils, the success of agri- 
culture and horticulture, and the wealth of a country. The 
following table, showing the annual and monthly rainfall 
from 1868 to 1889 will therefore find an appropriate place in 
this report. 
The following table shows that though the rainfall is not abun- 
dant it is amply sufficient to mature crops. Even in 1886, the 
year of the drouth, early crops could have been raised. Set- 
tlement, and with it cultivation, will loosen the soil so that 
the moisture can saturate it and the rain which now falls on 
dried and hardened prairies, and is drained ofi" as fast as it 
falls, will be saved and utilized. Large cultivated tracts of 
