76 ANNUAL REPORT. 



EVENING SESSION. 



Tuesday^ January 15. 



The society met at the room of the Delta Sigma Society in the 

 University building, and the regular program was proceeded with 

 by the reading of the following paper : 



TORNADOES. 

 By a. W. Sias, of Rochester. 



Mr. President^ Ladies and Gentlemen : 



In the winter of 1879, at the suggestion of Secretary C. Y. 

 Lacy, I prepared a paper on the subject of Irish potatoes. Meeting 

 a member soon after who is an expert in potatoe culture, he re- 

 marked, " I heard your article on potatoes, and it seems to me it 

 contained more apples than potatoes." 



And now, if any close observer should notice more trees than 

 tornadoes in this crude production, I hope it will be attributed 

 more to the heart than to the head. 



I have no sympathy for those sentimental people who charge up 

 all the ills that flesh is heir to to a special act of Divine Providence. 

 I do not believe that the Almighty has any particular grudge against 

 Rochester or Olmsted county, but at the same time I do believe that 

 that part of our State where the greatest neglect of Nature's laws 

 is to be found will prove to be the most unsafe place to live. My 

 orchards, buildings, &c., were damaged to the extent of over $1,000. 

 But if a row of cottonwoods had been set fifteen years ago, four feet 

 apart, directly west of the orchard, it is doubtful whether my 

 loss would be worthy of mention. 



Speaking of the damage to the city proper, we are located in the 

 southwestern limits, facing on Cutler street, the most westerly 



