444 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



the accuracy which we now find to be the case. Related phe- 

 nomena are highly suggestive of how much remains to be learned 

 in respect to the climatic conditions upon which the welfare of 

 plants depend ; for instance, at some period between the fall of 

 1871 and the spring of 18T2, some of our indigenous trees and 

 plants, usually considered perfectly hardy, like the hemlock and 

 the arbor vitse or white cedar, suffered beyond anything known in 

 the memory of the oldest inhabitant; nor was this injury confined 

 to Maine, but extended over a wide area southward and westward; 

 nor to evergreens only, but included some deciduous trees and 

 shrubs which usually pass the winter here without harm. On the 

 contrary, we found that some others, which rarely pass an average 

 winter without serious injury, suffered less than usual. Among 

 these may be named the flowering quince, the Forsythia, Weigela 

 and laburnun; and very notable instances were furnished in the 

 fruit-bearing quince and the peach, both of which, in many cases,' 

 and in near proximity to the usually hardy evergreens above named 

 which showed destructive action by their reddened foliage, blos- 

 somed with rare profusion, and bore unwonted burdens of fruit. 



A broad field here opens to our view for critical observations, 

 and for scientific deductions to be drawn from them, whenever ac- 

 cumulated in sufficient numbers, gathered with sufficient care, and 

 covering a sufficient length of time. It is one which we trust 

 may be successfully cultivated, and it is especially commended to 

 our young farmers and the graduates of our Industrial Colleges. 



The year past has also been remarkable for the sudden appeai'- 

 ancc and extensive prevalence of a disease among horses, in many 

 respects resembling ordinary influenza, yet differing from it by 

 reason of some peculiar features. It was first heard of near To- 

 ronto in Canada, whence it spread with rapid yet capricious pro- 

 gress eastward to the Atlantic over the Middle and Northern 

 States, and with slower speed Southward and Westward. Fortu- 

 nately it was not extensively fatal, but generally presented itself 

 in a mild type, and required for its successful treatment careful 



