Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 61.djvu/446

440 while over the Plateau the average daily deficiency of temperature was 6°-ll°, and there were unfavorable effects of the cool weather. These are interesting examples as showing, in degrees, what excess or deficiency of temperature stimulated or depressed trade in this particular case. In the Middle South Atlantic States, where there were exceptionally heavy rains, corn suffered from lack of cultivation, and trade was checked.

During the latter part of June, and in July, large sections of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains suffered from prolonged drought. Record-breaking temperatures were observed at a large number of stations, readings of 100° and above occurring in many places for several days in succession during part of the month. The daily temperature excess frequently reached 5°-10°, or more. During this long spell of hot weather the rainfall was markedly deficient over many sections east of the Rocky Mountains, and hence there resulted a drought of far-reaching extent. About the middemiddle [sic] of July, corn began to suffer severely. Locally, some damage was done to wheat and to oats, while cotton was also injured over considerable sections of the South. Occasional local rains helped to make good part of the damage to corn and cotton. The chief interest, so far as crops were concerned, centered in the condition of corn.

The first effect of the extreme heat, and one that lasted through July, was a marked stimulation of retail trade in summer clothing of all kinds, straw hats, sporting goods, and the like. The continuance of the heat over much of the country had the effect of carrying the sale of summer goods beyond the usual time. Another effect of the hot weather—and this an unfavorable one—was the curtailment of almost all branches of trade other than that in summer goods. A report from Boston, to the effect that 'buyers were few, and only necessities prompted purchases,' puts the case clearly enough. The decrease in 'shopping' led to an increase in orders by mail. The intense heat was, however, not necessarily adverse to general retail trade, provided crop prospects were favorable. This was clearly brought out in such reports as one from St. Louis, where trade 'was sustained by the result of the wheat harvest.' On the other hand, trade may not respond immediately, even when crop prospects are bright, for when the weather is fine, and farmers are busy in the fields, they have no time to go to town to trade.

The heat of the first week of July 'caused a practical suspension of industrial activity in many cities.' Numerous prostrations from heat caused humane employers to close their mills during the most distressing hours, thus somewhat restricting the output. In regard to the effect of the weather upon the steel-workers' strike in Pittsburgh, one of the trade journals reports that the striking employees were 'mostly content to take a rest during the hot weather,' and consequently were not so anxious that a settlement should be reached.