The Seattle Republican., 1900-11-23

change Of temperature is due chiefly
to the influence of the ocean, the di-
rectlon Of the prevailing winds, and
the relative position and direction of
the mountain ranges.
The Cascade mountains divide the
state into two sections, which differ
as much in climatic conditions as in
Typographical aspects.
The mean annual temperature Of
the whole Of the Columbia river ba-
sin Eastern Washington, deduced
from official reports from fourteen
Stations well distributed over the
basin, is 1925 degrees. The station
has a mean annual temperature of
SLY degrees, the highest in the
state. The mean for July is 1853 de-
grees; that for January 34.3 degrees,
over 2 degrees above freezing point.
The Chinook wind, which is a pretty
Indian name given to- the warm,
moist winds from the Pacific ocean.
cross the ocean freighted with the
delightful odors Of tropical climes.
They enter the state near the nToutfTr
of the Columbia river and follow the
course of the valley its entire length,
even to Idaho, Montana, and some
times as far east as the DakOtas.
They are always welcomed. With
them comes spring, warm sunshine,
beautiful flowers and pleasant wea-
ther. In summer these winds from
the ocean are cooler than the sur
face Of the valley, hence they have a
refreshing influence upon all forms
Of life. They are, in fact, that part
of the general atmospheric circula
ton known as the prevailing wester-
lies. They are the rain-bearers Of
Washington. In fact all winds from
the southern points of the compass
are likely to cause rain.
The annual rainfall in Eastern
Washington is 1866 inches. This
is the average Of sixteen stations well
distributed throughout the basin.
As compared with the average rain
fall in the state it is much less than
one-half. The rainfall at Walla
Walla is 11.43 inches.
One Of the most interesting fea-
lures Of the rainfall of a country is
the time in which it occurs. The
annual rainfall may be sufficiently
great to supply all the requirements
of agriculture, yet the distribution
| in time be such as to render agricul-
ture impossible. 1t is well known
that little rain at the light time is of
greater service than much rain at
other times. The rainfall in Eastern
Washington is well distributed in
this respect. An inspection of the
monthly reports shows that July and
August are the dryest months, and
that there is a gradual increase from
September to January, when pre-
cipitation is greatest. From Janu-
ary to July there is a gradual de
crease. This might seem to be the
reverse of what should be for agri-
cultural purposes. It would be in
corn-growing regions, or places
where crops grow in summer and
mature in autumn. The Columbia
river basin is a district best suited to
the growth. Of small grain and
grasses. This is due to the peculiar
ity of its soil and climate. Grain is
sown in the autumn, about the time
the rains begin. 1t remains in the
ground during the period of great
est precipitation, which is usually il
the form Of snow; natures and rip
ems with the decreasing rainfall Of
spring and early summer, and is har
vested and threshed during the dry
est part of the year, This kind O
distribution of rainfall is certainly
of great value to the agriculturalist
1t does not necessitate the storing o
grain or hay, either before or after i
; has been threshed Hundreds o
, thousands of bushels of grain ma
be seen sacked in the harvest field
: during the summer months, or wait
al ing at the railway stations for ship