STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 445 



nated with the balsamic emanations of the pine and fir trees. There is an 

 immunity from all endemic diseases, except mountain fever — described by 

 Dr. Kohcr in the last report of the Secretary of the State Board of Health. 



This exposure to a dry and high atmosphere presents a hopeful prospect 

 of recovery. Nature here acts on the lungs in a manner similar to that of 

 the pneumatic cabinet recently so much in vogue. It causes the lungs to 

 expand more freely, and in this way assist in their development. What 

 specific curative properties altitude possesses over consumption I do not 

 know. I cannot believe that it is the mere fact of causing lung expansion. 

 Certainly less oxygen is obtained in an equal number of respirations. As 

 recent observations tend to show that germs do not readily develop in 

 higher altitudes, this would be a plausible explanation. Consumptives 

 should be absolutely forbidden to use the mineral springs, as under no 

 circumstances can benefit be derived. Certain cases, uncomplicated by 

 bronchial lesion, seem to do well on the coast. This is probably due to 

 lack of germs; for along the whole coast, except in the region of large 

 cities, endemic and epidemic diseases are unknown. The wind undoubt- 

 edly acts as a germicide. 



In a paper necessarily so brief, I cannot more fully enter into a discus- 

 sion of the therapeutical effect of our climate. I trust that in making this 

 summary of the topography of California, its climate, its peculiar environ- 

 ment, and its many natural advantages, I have made the subject so well 

 understood that it will be possible for every thinking physician to draw 

 the legitimate conclusions, and to so intelligently advise those invalids 

 desiring a residence here, that they may select a proper location. They 

 should remember that much depends not only upon the disease itself, but 

 also upon the condition of the patient and the peculiarities of his consti- 

 tution. 



DESICCATING NORTH WINDS, AND HOW MODIFIED. 



How our Desiccating North Winds may be Ameliorated by Plant- 

 ing Trees; thereby Assisting Nature in its Manner of Modify- 

 ing Climates. 



The letter following is from Lieutenant W. A. Glassford, Signal Corps, 

 to Joaquin Miller, one of the Commissioners on Forestry: 



U. S. Signal Office, ) 

 San Francisco, January 18, 1887. )" 



My Dear Mr. Miller: 



Referring to our conversation this morning in the " Amador," upon the 

 subject of forestry, the north wind, and especially my suggestion for dimin- 

 ishing the ravages of this dreaded desiccating wind, I beg leave to address 

 you further upon my proposition, which time this morning would not per- 

 mit me to fully elaborate. 



When I came here just one year ago, and took charge of the Pacific 

 Coast Division of the Signal Service, these peculiar north winds were of 

 such a strange and new character that they struck me with peculiar force. 

 I soon saw they were confined mostly to the Sacramento and San Joaquin 

 Valleys; at least here their voyages were most marked. From a study of 



