advantage both in accuracy and in economy of field measurements of snow over measurements at a single station, or even group of stations. The expense of the survey of the Tahoe Basin was considerably less than one-half the amount necessary to maintain the eight snowfall stations there. "It is, of course, true that these stations furnish climatic statistics of precipitation, measured storm by storm, and of snow on the ground, measured month by month, which the snow survey, if restricted to the time of melting, cannot do." 3. "Motor Boating 6,200 Feet Above Sea-Level: A Defoe Cruiser, Built for Cruising in Winter"-Arthur L. Smith-Motor Boating, March 15, 1915. Describes the construction of the "Mount Rose," a home-built cabin cruiser, and its value for snow studies and winter cruising on Lake Tahoe. 4. "Horticulture in Nevada"-J. E. Church, Jr.-Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, vol. IV, in press. This article sets forth in a general way the topography and climate of Nevada, the relative importance of its agricultural industries, and, in detail, the nature, problems, and possibilities of its horticulture. Cooperation. The year has been one of large and practical cooperation. Data on the precipitation and evaporation of snow were placed at the service of the Geological Survey in making a report on the feasibility of establishing a federal reclamation project on Walker River. In return for the seasonal snow survey of the Tahoe Basin, the Reclamation Service has given this department the use of land and adequate buildings for headquarters at the outlet of the Lake and is sharing in the maintenance of the snow observer. Close cooperation is being planned by the Nevada Section of the U. S. Weather Bureau with a view to assisting in the extension and completion of the snow studies inaugurated by this department and to the ultimate adoption in all of the watersheds of the State of the methods of snow surveying thus developed. Officials of the Forest Service also have consulted with the Department in formulating plans for the study and charting of air currents in the National Forests with the view to improving present methods of fire protection; they have also made inquiries regarding the meteorograph on Mount Rose with the view to obtaining a similar instrument to record the climate in the more inaccessible parts of the forests. Finally, the Experiment Farm of the Bureau of Plant Industry at Fallon has extended its cooperation by taking charge of four additional temperature stations placed at Pyramid Lake, Lahontan, The Island, and Stillwater, which, with the Mount Rose base station at Fallon and a temperature station maintained by the U. S. Weather Bureau at Fernley, should furnish an accurate record of the climate of the Truckee-Carson Project. THE VALUE OF A DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY A Department of Meteorology in Nevada has particular value along the following lines: 1. To perfect methods of determining the amount of water available on the various watersheds for irrigation each season. Most of the water used for irrigation in Nevada falls in the form of snow on the high mountains, and its amount varies with elevation and situation. Only 5 per cent is stored in reservoirs. Experiments already made by the Station have demonstrated that close forecasts of run-off can be made sufficiently early to permit the adjustment of crops to available water. The department's methods are now being adopted by the U. S. Weather Bureau in Nevada. Cooperation is being arranged with the purpose of ultimately applying such a forecast service to all parts of the State. 2. To study Nevada climate with reference to agriculture. A mountain State like Nevada has a complex climate as compared with the States of the plains. This is especially true in regard to temperature. In 1915 the orchards of Fallon and Glenbrook, sixty miles apart and having a difference of 2,500 feet in elevation, blossomed fully two months apart. The fruit at Fallon was injured by an untimely freeze; because of its lateness, that at Glenbrook escaped. The study of the climate of Nevada should be directed along the following lines: (1) The climatic survey of basins and slopes to determine the relative intensity of the growing season of each both day and night; the frequency, intensity, and length of frosts with a view to the economical protection of gardens and orchards; the relative humidity and the effect of wind with reference to the winter-killing of fruit trees and alfalfa; the progress of temperature changes on bottom lands and slopes to facilitate the forecasting of frost; and, finally, the comparison of the climatic elements found here with those found in other States to facilitate the introduction of congenial plants. The most pressing need is the development of the home orchard by selecting frost-resistant and late-blooming plants and trees, and learning how to protect them easily and economically. The survey being conducted in the Truckee-Carson Basins indicates that on the average not more than two heatings will be required each season to save a full crop and that, except when the fruit is setting, no heating will be required to save a crop sufficiently large for home and local consumption. So valuable is this latter observation, if true, that its accuracy should be thoroughly verified. Local experiments of this ntaure are too detailed to be conducted by the U. S. Weather Bureau, and the instruments employed by their voluntary observers are not adapted to the work. (2) In cooperation with the Departments of Biology and Agronomy, attention should be given to the relation of climatic factors to plantgrowth, not only the climate of the air, but the temperature of the soil, especially as affected by irrigation. Such studies might be valuable in experiments now in progress on the Experiment Station Farm, especially the effect of winter temperatures on the control of the eel-worm. (3) In similar cooperation with the Department of Animal Husbandry, studies could be made of the effect of outdoor wintering on the milk production of dairy herds, particularly the effect of rain, snow, mud, winds, etc. (4) It may be possible to increase our present limited knowledge of the climate of the stock range, particularly the temperature, pre cipitation both of rain and snow, and relative humidity, for their possible bearing on its improvement. Through the efforts of Professor Fergusson, Associate Meteorologist, who is an experienced designer and maker of meteorological instruments, the department is well equipped to conduct the studies outlined. and can furnish further apparatus at a nominal cost. The advantage is of utmost importance, for instruments adapted to the work are both difficult to obtain and are expensive. Furthermore, Professor Fergusson is a trained meteorologist, having resigned as first assistant at Blue Hill Observatory, Harvard University, to have a share in the pioneer work here. 3. To teach agricultural students and others the value of instruments and the meaning of climate, particularly the relation of local weather to general storm movements. 4. To advance the general science of meteorology: (a) Along agricultural lines of more remote interest than the preceding, as (1) the nature of frost phenomena, and (2) the study of mountain winds in their relation to the spread of forest and brush fires. (b) Along pure lines, as the study of the climate of the Great Basin and upper-air phenomena as affected by the topography of the Great Plateau, and in assisting in procuring data for world meteorology. 5. Finally, as at present constituted, the department is particularly fitted to design and repair instruments for other departments of the University. These are the reasons why we urge the establishing of the Department of Meteorology on a permanent footing in the Experiment Station and University. Dean Knight strongly favors giving instruction in Meteorology in the College of Agriculture. The College of Engineering has made use of the department in designing and testing instruments. For the immediate future, the continuance of the Department is imperative, for the data on the Relation of Mountains and Forests to the Conservation of Snow are yet to be prepared for final conclusions and publication, and the records being obtained in the temperature survey of the Truckee-Carson Basins must be tabulated and analyzed. When the larger projects now under way are concluded, as they should be by the summer of 1917, and possibly sooner, the department can probably be maintained for $2,500 per annum, providing $500 can be apportioned from the College of Agriculture for instruction in meteorology, and $300 by the University for designing and repairing instruments in the colleges of the University. If necessary, Professor Fergusson can earn one-fourth to one-third of his salary by devoting a proportionate amount of time to outside work. However, the work that should normally fall to the department would occupy his entire |