CLASSIFYING CLIMATES

In this age of scientific enlightenment, fields that to the tyro are virtually unknown possess an importance which is seldom appreciated. Although the cause of climatology to which Professor R. DeC. Ward's Milton Fund grant is to be devoted is little known to the public, it has a constantly growing significance to the layman as well as to the scientist. Physicians, geologists, geographers, botanists, and zoologists all these use elimatology in their specialized fields and pave the way for its comprehensive use by the layman in his daily life.

One of the pioneers in the study of the world's climates. Dr. Julius Hann of the University of Vienna, published his hand book in 1883, an edition of which was later translated into English by Professor Ward. When Dr. Hann died, the study had to be continued by someone else, for climatology needs a constant flow of new data to keep it abreast of the times. Professor Koppen took up the work in Europe, while the task of preparing the chapters of North America fell to the lot of Professor Ward and his associate, Professor Brooks of Clark University.

The study of climates is necessarily extensive if there is to be any accuracy. Climatic conditions must be studied in detail, and the results tabulated and the maps filed. Each district has its distinctive data, and from the total mass of material accumulated from all the districts must be selected the significant. This is the cause to which Professor Ward is dedicating the Milton Fund award. No two men could possibly handle so great a quantity of work adequately; assistants are prerequisite, and for these assistants will the award be utilized. For the first time a field will be covered which extends from the furthest reaches of Canada to the mountains of Mexico, from the islands of the West Indies to the prairies of the United States in painstaking and comprehensive fashion.