St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-12-24
agricultural department,
low VEGETATION INFLUENCES
CLIMATE.

= '.t-5 J!
That climate controls vegetation in
treat degree, is quite evident, and it is
qually true that vegetation itself has a
marked effect upon the climate. In
he first place, it exerts an influence
'pon the''wind. Where the land is
are of trees, the wind has an unob.
,tructed sweep; and where this prevails,
md is violent, the climate is not only
unpleasant to man and beast, but is
nnfavorablo to vegetation. Western
'.,rmers know how this is, upnon their
;road unsheltered prairies, and New
ruglanders know how it is along their
;lcak sca.coasts. The only way to grow
handsome and healthy trees in such
Localities, is first to: surround ones farm
W garden with a. belt Of strong coarse
trees, like the willow, silver poplar,
and everg,eens. Outside Of such yer.
'!ant barriers, the trees and shrubs, if
)1anted, grow lop-sided, lean, and stun
ID; inside, they stand erect, we'll de-
vclopea, and vigorous. Without this
rejection there is the unpleasantness
f having a gale forever blowing about
mes ears the ceaseless roar Of the wind
round the dwelling, the rattle of win
lows and doors, the increased consump-
ion of fuel, aud the discomfort of cat
lie at all seasons, but especially in
Winter; put these and the like things
together, aud we 6nd that whatever
curves to break the violence Of the
wind or to change its direction, is
thing Of considerable Importance. 1t
hould not be forgotten that air in mo-,
ion produces more chilliness thaa the
:Aue air at rest. Wet your finger and
hold it up the still air, and you will
Hardly feel the cold; but swing it
round, and the hand will be rapidly
chilled. The difference between the
innate of q windy region and one shell
'ered from driving currents Of air, is
equally great.
Again, vegetation affects climate by
limiting evaporation Of moisture
Many years ago, Humboldt declared
rat men in all climates, by stripping
he hills Of trees, were preparing tor
themselves two calamitits, viz, the
want of fuel and tho want Of water.
The evaporation from trees PRODUCES a
DOL and moist local atmosphere. The
verhanging boughs prevent the too
apid evaporation of moisture from the
round, and its dissipation by the wind.
he sources Of nearly all brooks AMI
reeks are 70 be fonnd in springs among
he hills ; and by cutting Of the trees
hich have always overshadowed them,
no moisture is rapidly evaporatel, and
ne pings lower if not dried up.
Experience is continually demon
rating this. Every old farmer will
ell US that his springs are less copious
LOW than they we're thirty years ago ;
nd so of tho various streams, large aud
nall. The rains fall, perhaps, in
nearly their former abundance, but they
como oftener in torrents, which sweep
own the hill-sides, unrestricted by
rees, brush wood, and low vegetation,
md pour themselves into the streams OF
he valley, producing frcshets and hurt
FIJI inundations and 50 We 60 from
reshets to drouths, from heavy rai"s to
long periods of arid, parching dryness
IN some parts of Europe, so great harm
has followed the destruction Of forests
that legislation has been called in tt
,ay their demolition and to promote
(.lantiDg Of new.-Americu" Agricuz
t"riSt.
Although there is much in thu
above that is suggestive, VIC ;opy i
principally for the idea concerning thu
barrier Of strong, hardy trees to protec
shose ola tenderer growth. Farmers il
this State could employ the practice with
:;ood advantage in planting fruit trees
either selecting 4 location for thci
orchard olosa,to timber Or else forn'in,
protective circle around some suitabl
-hosen place. The former would seen
he better and quicker method.