Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-04-01
aorifultnral Department.
From the Wisconsin Farmer.
CLIMATE EFFECTS ON AGRICULTURE.


EpIrons FARMER-Dear Sirs After congrat-
ulating you upon your accession TO the chair
editorial in 50 vital an enterprise as the publ
cation of an agricultural journal III the West, and
the public that we are to expect regularity in
future issues, viii you allow me to have my say
about several things Of obyioys Importance to
successful agriculture in this new country.
The effects Of climate seem not to be suffi-
GENTLY regarded by the mass Of cultiyators.-
Southern Wisconsin and Northern Iowa, appar
emily lie about midway between the limits of
certain and rain in winter. We have beth,
neither, as successive seasons roll round
Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota have a cor
tdiBty of winter snow, giving the earth warm
covering. Ohio, Inaiana and other States i'm
mediately south, have about tie same certainty
OF copious rains This difference in climate
cannot but largely influence agricultural pro-
ductions in the interior The successful farmer
here must provide fer both extremes vet many
seasons scarcely require preparation for either-
This fact has led 10 much carelessness and lack
of forethought. Those who run the hazard of
either wet or snowy winters without adequate
preparation, are sure n the end To pay the pen
ally. Our prevailing wind is Northwest
very dry wind, which, starting on the Pacific
ocean, parts with its humidity on the western
slope of the Rocky Mountains, making the rainy
season in Oregon and Washington Territories
After crossing half the continent ii reaches Us
dry and parched-a cold. but never damp wind.
IFS character changes as it crosses the great
lakes, by the absorption OF water, and farther
ri -
this fact established, IS it not apparent that
system Of cultivation adapted to Ohio or North
ern Wisconsin, would not answer all the neces-
sites of this region With casual exceptions
central Wisconsin rarely feels the prevailing
winds of the great LAKES. With Us a continuous
easterly wind brings drilling rain at all sea-
sons. North and Northeast winds furnish our
winter SHOWS, when we have any worth speak
of-but they generally expeud their forces be-
fore they reach Us. West and Northwest winds
are cool and dry-South and Southwest moist
and warm The climate of central Wisconsin
differs much from her lake coasts 1t Is warm
er and dryer On an average but sometimes has
greater extremes of cold-never Of moisture
These differences Of climate are often manifest
II the crops the different sections of the State
Are they sufficiently noted or regarded
Then, a. to soil, it is common mistake to
suppose 1t fitted hy nature for crery product.
The most THAT can truthfujly be said Of it Is, it
has every element essential to our indigenous
vegetation. But all our grains, grasses and
fruits, the subjects Of care AID cultivation, are
foreigners. They may and do thrive here, but
are We, hence, 10 infer that without proper ap- I
plcations they VIII DO 50 continuously? Does
our Wild vegetation, the decay Of which Las /
formed the surface soil, contain the perpetual I
element Of fertility for vegetation in many
respects essentially different? Faith in this /
absurdltv, may ruin hundreds of fine farms vet. !
The discussion Of subjects Of this KIND. and .
the collection and preservation Of the aggregate |
experience Of the farming community Of the
State, IS the proper province Of an Agricultural
Journal. 1t should be = repository of exreri- /
mental knowledge in which all NAV look to +
sec what has been, and add from time to time /
the evidence Of what should be done. to pre-
mote Increased efficiency and success in this I
primary department Of the wealth of nations
ne study OF climate and soil are fit subjects
for University education. II is my purpose
at such time as may be convenient 10 ask YOU
to put on record the result of various expert
ments am making and proposing to make il.
The culture Of fruit. Articles on that subject
IN the present condition of our agriculture are
OF the highest Importance.
am pleased TO see the advanced terms for
year subscription TO the Farmer. Independent
OF positive knowledge that fifty cents per year
vii! not pay for paper worth having-printed
IN the west-it is certain that no one who would
object to paying teo coats per 'reet for knowledge
would profit by it, if furnished free l am GER
tain that I have saved $25 the past year from
some hints I found in the Farmer. Il is high
time to cease starving editors-especially Agri
cultural editors. In no other form can farmers
he much profited rs by such paper. 1t
puts in their hands all tie experience and
knowledge Of all their associates in the State
and is the greatest labor saving machine of the
times Those who do without It are blind TO
every intelligent interest.
Madison. Dec 10, 1856 YF.