The National tribune., 1882-06-17

Vegetable oils abound, and are even more
digestibe than the former, and purer and
more wholesome.
SMOKE AND FROsT-We have previously
alluded TO the prevention OF frOsts In or
chards by smoke. A California paper, the
St Helena Star, mentions that the vine
growers of that region have fixed the value
of smoke as a frost preventive. 1t says:
:" For several mornings this section of the
valley was completely smudged, although
there were a few skeptcs who did not
use smoke, whose short crops this fall VIII
convince them that the iudiciOus use of tar
aud straw are their only salvation. That
smoke does actually protect the vines
against frost was demonstrated during its
recent visitation, when, on one occasion, the
temperature fell to 2S', and those who
smoked thoroughly suffered but slightly.
In cases of extreme cold, the practicability
OF building bontires to raise the temperature
has been suggested, and the idea seems
good one"
TREES. RAINFALL AND DROUGHTS-On
this subject the Elmira HuS5andman remarks,
that " In the past twenty or thirty years
prevalence of droughts in the summer
months has been more common and
more extensive than in earlier periods
of our agriculture in this and other
States. Doubtless, clearing away the for
ests has much to do in diminishing the
rainfall, and especially in destroying the
innumerable little reservoirs that exist in
every wooded district and serve to hold
back the supply of water to meet the needs
of the crops" The explanation is given as to
the retentive influence Of forests in prevent
ing the rapid flow of rainwater from the
surface, thus allowing it to pass slowly
through the soil and feed the springs, and
which "pOints to the necessity of tree
planting on an extensive scale, If anything
like the former conditions are to be met If
the water supply is TO be continued through
q greater portion Of the year, droughts to
become less common and crops more sure"
And " It is fair to presume, however, that
full corrections of the evils accompanying
our summer droughts will never be made
until much attention is given in the older
States to tree planting" We make this
quotation for the purpose of offering few
remarks upon it. We do not consider it as
an established fact that clearing away forests
for the purposes of cultivation diminishes
the rainfall. The rain falling on a forest
gradually finds its way into the soil, and
slowly percolates to the lowest points, there
finding its exit in springs Clear away
the forest and the water runs more rap
idly to the lowest point. But, in either
case, what effect has it upon the con-
tiguous corn field? None whatever, that
we can perceive It is held by some writers
that the evaporation from forests induces
frequent rainfalls, but if the assertion is
made, that in the case of thoroughly
plowed and cultivated field upon which a
fair corn crop is growing there is as much
evaporation as there is from average forest
lands, who will bring forward facts to the
contrary?
We do not know the exact dates referred
TO as the earlier periods of our agricuf-
ture," but in consulting the rain tables for
the State of New York for the past so years
we see no indication of a diminished rain
fall Taking the recording station of Pen
Yam, we find that during the decade ending
1883 the average yearly rainfall during that
period was % 16-100 inches. The next decade
shows yearly average of 26 92-100 inches.
The decade ending 1853 gives a yearly
average of 27 94-10O inches, and the follow
ing decade shows yearly average of so
90-100 inches. During these years we find
that the lowest rainfall was in 1884, when
% 39-100 inches was recorded. The highest
is noted in 1857, when A 90-100 inches of
rain fell.
1t is fair to presume that when forests
arc planted they will be planted, as other
crops are planted, for profit and this should
be sufficient Indictment for investments; for
| if the trees are properly selected as to the
value of their timber, there can be but
little doubt in regard to the ultimate profit.
We consider it very doubtful indeed if
| forests will ever be planted in this country
! for the sole purpose of ameliorationg the
| climate Of any extended district. But we
| do hope that the attention now given to
| forestry will induce every resident in the
country to shelter his dwelling and its sur
roundings by belts Of timber. As saving
| of fuel in bleak localities it would amply
repay the original outlay; the advantages
derived from good shelter to stock, as also
! its great value in the production Of vegeta-
! bles and the choicer kinds of fruits, are well
| known.
We greatly desire to see more attention
given TO tree planting in cities and villages.
! In this manner the climatic influence of trees
! can be largely secured. AS an example, we
might mention that in the city Of Washing
! ton there are 10000 trees in the streets. Al
! lowing these to be set 20 feet apart, land
! three-fourths of this number would now
meet at this distance,) there would be q for
/ est covering GOO acres Of ground. The cool
| ing effect of this extensive mass Of foliage is
already sensibly felt, and this effect viii be
more decided as the trees increase in size.
The only effectual method of guarding
crops from injury in dry weather is to deepen
| the soil, and to do this effectually the first
operation is TO aerate or drain it. Lands
which have been drained and subsoiled are
equally fitted to Withstand dry seasons OF
| sn~sons SuhSoiling nd Jro ,obo Ia