142 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



desert. They are found on the oases ; and we know too, that 

 every vestige of vegetation that now appears is cropped by the 

 camels, or is trampled down by the caravans that pass over those 

 regions. 



Now, when man shall put his hand upon that region and stay 

 those caravans, prevent the devastation of the camel, and allow 

 every plant that appears to grow to the utmost, allow those oases 

 to extend, and, in addition, plant trees with his own hand, for 

 every tree that raises its foliage to the air invites rain, is it impos- 

 sible that gradually the desert may be redeemed? If it be diijflcult 

 to cultivate trees in the middle of the desert, it would seem that 

 it might be done on the boi'ders, and the belts increased from year 

 to year, for the rainfall naturally would extend a little bej'ond the 

 belts of trees. But if this plan shall not succeed, what then ? 



You have heard of the gigantic enterprise which has been pro- 

 posed as regards this region, which is, to open a channel from the 

 Red Sea, and allow its waters to come in and flood the desert. It 

 is an experiment fearful in its character, — inasmuch as it involves 

 climatic conditions that would efiect Southern Europe, Western 

 Asia, and Northern Africa. Whether or not this scheme will ever 

 bo successfully carried out, we need not now consider ; but sup- 

 pose a certain quantity of water should be admitted, so as to form 

 a lake in the interior of the desert, what then ? There would 

 exist the means of large evaporation, and if before, trees could 

 not be cultivated for want of moisture, there would now exist the 

 source of an abundant supply. If forest trees could be cultivated, 

 soon would follow fruit trees, and all kinds of vegetation. This 

 may or may not be done in the manner indicated. However this 

 may be, I hesitate not to venture the prediction that it is one of 

 the achievements of the coming centuries, to redeem the character 

 of that entire region, to bring it into a condition of fertility, and 

 literall}^ to "make the desert bud and blossom as the rose." 



Mr. Perley. When the moisture is taken up from the lakes, 

 the rivers and the sea, carried in the air, and impinged upon the 

 sides of the mountain, does mechanical force have anything to do 

 with the discharge of the moisture upon the hills? 



Prof. Fernald. I think not at all. 



Mr. Peulkv. Does the electrical condition of the atmosphere 

 have anything to do with the discharge of the moisture from the 

 cloud ? 



Prof. Fernald. It probably does. 



