Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-07-21
ST. JOHNSBURY, FRIDAY, july 81. 1876.


insinuated through every cubic inch and in
termingled with all its atoms. And as In,
leaves. which are the respiratory organs Of
plants, are always in contact with these va.
pors, they drink in through their pores these
invisible particles; also at every inspiration
the lungs of men and animals take in water
and convey it into the vascular system.
1t is interesting to observe here, one of the
most beautiful and benefcenL operations Of
nature revealed in the domain Of natural
science and one that challenges our admira.
tion OF the harmony of creation in all its de.
tails The specific gravity of watery vapor
being less than the lower atmosphere, rises,
and diftuses itself through the lower strata,
its ascent being checked only when stratum
is reached of equal levitatiou with itself.
But the atmosphere is incapable of holding
all the vapors that arise day afler day and
week after week it must, therefore, part
with portion now and then in rain, snow
aud dew to water and protect the soil and
feed the roots of growing plants. A warm
atmosphere will sustain more than a cold
one, for the reason that heat expands aud
keeps the particles repelled beyond the
sphere Of each others attraction. Hence
when current Of cold air comes in contact
with warm stratum heavily charged with
vapor, condensation takes place and cloud
Is formed, and if the condensation continue,
drops OF water are formed too heavy for the
atmosphere to support which, fall to the
earth in rain. But sometimes rain clouds
oversproad the heavens and rain appears i'm.
minent but instead of further condensation
rising sun dissipates them ; they break up
into fragments, and are again resolved into
vapor, with perhaps a few relics left floating
through the heavens.
AS rule, the greater the altitude above
the level Of the sea the colder is the atmos.
Phere. Currents of warm air charged with
vaPOr on reaching mountan summit deliver
up portion Of their contents forming
cloud, and hence the reason why mountain
districts are oftener overhung with clouds
aud receive more rain and snow than the
soa-level.
Living upon the eastern slope, and in
sight Of the summit Of the Green Mountains.
the writer has seen on sunny afternoon
from the hay field shower start FROM the
top OF the range with threatening aspect, but
instead of coming eastwa I'd it kept well up
the side OF the mountain, eulargiug its area
over the large belt Of woodland to the north,
and watering few farms in its marginal
track, while at this standpoint the sun shone
with Its usual brillancy. And it is not un.
common with partial or total observation
OF the sun to witness 4 similar phenomenon
Hardly less interesting in a scientific or
agricultural view, is the descent of the silent,
ioVigorating dew. Its benign influence has
not escaped the chronicles of any age, nor
have the poets omitted to sing p,e ans in
praise OF its inestimable value. Ia Genesis
1t Is classed with "the fatuess of the earth,
and plenty Of corn and wine" In Deuter.
onomy it is called one of "the precious things
OF heaven" In IL. Samuel the mountains
OF GIlbOa receive the command of "let
there be no dew" iD order to bring a curse
upon the people.
The same agency that produces rala, viz.
depression of temperature, causes the dew |
to fall. AT night the rays of the sun arc
Withdrawn, the atmosphere sinks to a lower |
temperature, condensation of its vapors takes
place gradually and equally over a hemi.
sphere wherever the conditions are the same,
aud the silent, refreshing dew falls upon
every leaf and flower aud blade of grass.
1t comes so stealthily, aud in atoms so inf.
nitey small as to escape detection. Yet it
increases as If by magic, and in the morning
the suffering plants having slaked their thirst
through the leaves, appear in new vigor and
able to cope with another days burning sun.
Here nature, never without her compeusa.
tons and resources, has given the agricul.
turist an invaluable boon that carries his
crops through periods of drouth and fills his
granary and barns with food for his family
and flock. Is he conscious of the service
these dowS perform, coming in greater cOpi.
business when the "early and latter rains"
are withheld than the leaves can appropriate,
gathering in diamond drops aud falling down
to give sustenance to the roots
THE seasons lead, In spnghtly dance
Harmonious knit, the rosy ange rcd hours,
The Eephyr aoating loose, tho timely rains,
Oioloom ethereal the lightfoOtod dews,
And softoned into JOY the surly storms.r
WifniHOfOH. Is ,