HISTORY OF VERMONT. 75 



this effect continues while the solar rays are 

 sufficient to increase the heat of the earth. 

 This additional heat in the earth, will be suf* 

 ficient to produce the same alteration in the 

 temperature of the air ; for whatever degree of 

 heat prevails in the earth, nearly the same will 

 be communicated to the lower parts of the at- 

 mosphere. Thus the earth and the air, in the 

 cultivated parts of the country, are heated in 

 consequence of their cultivation, ten or eleven 

 degrees more, than they were in their unculti- 

 vated state : It should seem from these observa- 

 tions that the effect, or the degree of heat pro- 

 duced by cultivation, is the same with the 

 change of climate, that has taken place in the 

 eastern part of Massachusetts* ^ 



Another remarkable effect which mtikes 

 part of the change of climate, and always attends 

 the cultivation of the country, is an alteration 

 in the moisture or wetness of the earth. As 

 the surface of the earth becomes more warm, it 

 becomes more dry and hard, and the "stagnant 

 waters disappear. Alterations of this kind, 

 have been com.mon and gi'eat, in all the ancient 

 settlements in the United States. Many of the 

 small streams and brooks are dried up : Mills, 

 which at the first settlement of the country, 

 were plentifully supplied with water from small 

 rivers, have ceased to be useful. Miry places, 

 and large swamps, are become among the rich- 

 est of our ai'able lands. In the iiew settlements 

 the change is effected in two or tliree years : 

 Fields of corn and wheat are attended with the 

 most rapid vegetation, and the greatest increase, 

 in lands, where the waters five or six years ago,. 



