Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-12-25
Influence of Climate.

Influence of Climate.
DR.. Boynton, of Vermont, gave Lee
ture before the board of Agriculture, on
this subject, which we give below: He
said: "Climatc includes all the conditions
to which we are obliged TO conform. We
are acied upon and moulded by those con-
ditions around us weterm climate. When
uniform climate reigncd over all n. H.,
tropical temperature stretched all over
our land But all has changed with the
change of geological epochs. During
that time nearly 5O0,O00 plants and 80, 800
species of animals have disappeared from
the face of the earth. A great change
has been effected in species of plants.
Corn WAS formerly a tropical plant and
grew to large size in warm regions.
Grains of several kinds have also changed
from broad To narrow leaves and less
kernels in the ear. In three successive
years planting wheat may be converted
from winter to spring varieties and ctce
rerSa. Even the fibres and chemical
qualities ofplants are changed by climate.
From the tropics to the poles there is
continual change in the qualities of plants,
caused by climatic influences.
Climate will impress its power upon
the types OF animals. The Spanish Merino
found Il coDgeni;.l home in the hills ofNew
England, and produces heavier fleece
here than in its native home. The forms
in both vegetable and animal production
are dependent upon climatic conditions.
Even men must bow in obedience 10
these laws and conditions. The first di-
rection in which this power is seen IS in
the difference in color. The Jews va-y
from blondes in the North to dark olive
in the South A race subjected for
n given time to high and warm tcmpera-
ture, will crow darF and rIcc rerSa; Just
SO it is in regard to The constitution and
structure of man.
Climate also determines the pursuits OF
mt n to great extent. a people dwell
inc in country where there are few
rivers or mountains, will be devoted tO
agriculture But when the surrounding
circumstances are different. the occupa-
ton will vary. Pre- historic races have
gwen much that is OF value TO the world.
The arctic populations have long been in
state of stagnation.
There are no changes in social life or
social customs. II is life of the past
with them Everything is just the same
AS in the days of Abraham.
What has been may be, and these scenes
may all be- repeated in our own country
give US time enough.
In ancient Egypt agriculture was re-
liable art, for farmer there could fore
tell what would be the result of his aunua
Iabors by the record of the Hood or How
ing of the Nile over it, banks into the
surrounding country.
The traces OF climate influence IS al.
ready discerniblc in the American organi-
cation. He referred TO the difference be-
tween the northern and southern part OF
this country both in its temperature and
geographical features. Every cline
moulds It's own impressions on the yield
;,c, ,,oss of humanity
For all his fixed qualities the northern
man is indebted To the climate influences
bv which he is surrounded. He is tenn
verate. industrious, slow o anger and
assiduous in labor He is just the op-
posite of his southern neighbor who is un-
stable, impulsive, luxurious and indolent.
The topography of a country even has
its effect upon the speech otits inhabitants.
A plain level country has inhabitants
whose speech is monotonous, and in
rough country it is the opposite.
All the conditions of southern life are
but reproductions Of what was once com
monin the same climate in the old country.
intellectually and morally the Southern
man is exactly the opposite OF his North
ern brothers. Therefore he is naturally
antagonistic. Education and intercom-
munication will assist to prevent this an
tagonism,
What we need in any country is free
communication and commingling of the
people. With such, years ago, sad page
of history need never have been written.
This may be brought about some what by
the agency of steam power. by our
knowledge OF nature alone, can we come
into harmony with laws?
Nature is waiting to be our servant.
Truly is St. Paurs saying true that the
whole Gre alton waiteth for the manifesto
tions of the son OF God, &c"
THIS SIDE UP.-We saw Jake mailing
up a box, the other day, containing some
articles which he intended to send by ex-