Yg BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



a long chapter of local complaints fail to account for any portion 

 of the difficulty. In the newer States, where the settlement has 

 been more rapid, similar changes ai'e noted. The States of Ohio 

 and Michigan, in particular, originally most admirably wooded, 

 have had a growth so rapid as to work great physical changes in 

 a single life time. In such a field for observation, correct theories 

 and conclusions can hardly fail to be reached Deterioration in 

 fruits and other crops, through climatic causes in those States, is 

 now clearly shown as being intimately connected with the removal 

 of their magnificent forests. Recent changes in our local climate 

 are doubtless somewhat influenced by the general change ex- 

 perienced in the western States. A severe summer drought over 

 the valley of the Ohio must affect the humidity of the winds pass- 

 ing thence to the Atlantic. From Ohio we have dreary accounts of 

 recent climatic changes, working defeat to the intent of the hus- 

 bandman, and involving the country in losses innumerable and 

 almost incalculable. Fruits that once grew everywhere abundant- 

 ly and of the greatest excellence, have failed almost entirely,- 

 destructive floods and desolating droughts are items of annual 

 record. 



We find this subject of climate so ably and thoroughly presented 

 and discussed by Professor Kedzie, of the Michigan Agricultural 

 College, that no better service can be rendered the American peo- 

 ple than to give broadest circulation to every sentence he has 

 so thoughtfully and forcibly uttered. Extended quotations from 

 that gentleman will give a clearer view of the points we desire to 

 bring out, than any other matter or facts within our reach ; and 

 for the liberty wc take, we feel that no apology is due to any party 

 but the Hon. Doctor himself. In an address before the Livingston 

 County Agricultural Society, in 1867, on " The influence of Forest 

 Trees on Agriculture," Prof. Kedzie says : " You remember how 

 Ohio was deluged with rain last fall — large districts flooded, vast 

 quantities of corn and other grain washed away ; flocks and herds 

 drowned, railroads submerged, while at the same time the New 

 England States were parched and dry. How is it this year ? A 

 despatch from Cincinnati, Sept. 21ih, says : ' The weather con- 

 tinues dry. The reports regarding the corn and potato crops are 

 even more discouraging. Farmers are selling off' their stock as 

 fast as possible. Water is very scarce.' In northern Ohio, 'The 

 pastures are heaps of dust, and an examination of the ground and 

 its contents in a potato patch, would hardly reveal the kind of 



