136 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



A similar set of experiments, using jelly cups in place of funnels, gave con- 

 cordant results. It is thus shown that the beneficial influence of the organic matter 

 of the soil in mitigating drought in sandy soils is twofold: assisting such soil to 

 take up and hold the rain when it falls, and preventing excessive loss by evapoi-a- 

 tion. 



The damage by forest fires sweeping over the country, burning up leaves and 

 grasses which would form humus, and consuming much of the humus already in 

 the soil, becomes evident to all. These forest fires inflict incalculable injury upon 

 our northern plains. The thwarting of Nature's efforts at reforesting, by burning 

 up all trees and shrubs too young to resist the fire, is clearly seen as one travels 

 over the blacliened country. 



Keep out the fires is the first and great commandment in forestry for Michigan, 

 Without this no efi'ort at reforesting will accomplish much. 



METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR THIRTY FOUR YEARS AT THE 

 MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL, COLLEGE. 



To satisfactorily study these questions of the relation of climate to forestry, we 

 need a long series of observations taken at leading points in the State. Un- 

 fortunately these are wanting, but as a contribution to this end the following mean 

 monthly observations at the Agricultural College are presented. They are too local 

 to be decisive of the average climatic condition of our State, but may yet be of 

 some value in future studies. 



