0)1 the Causes of the Injurious Effects upon Vegetation, of the 

 Winter and Spring of 1871-72. 



COMMITTEE. 



Marshall P, "Wilder, 

 H. HoLLis HuxNEWELL, Edward S. Raxd, Jr., 



Francis Parkman, Leander Wetherell. 



The destruction of vegetation during the years 1871 and '72 is 

 unparalleled in the memorj'^ of our oldest horticulturists. 



We have often had severe winters, destructive springs and au- 

 tumns, unfavorable to vegetable life. The record of every horti- 

 culturist is one of disappointment and loss, but never have we 

 been compelled to record so vast and wide-spread disaster, as 

 within the last eighteen months. 



How far vegetation was enfeebled by the droughts of the j^ears 

 1870 and 1871, must forever remain unknown; but we cannot re- 

 gard the excessive dryness of those two years, when throughout a 

 wide extent of country, and certainly in New England, the rain- 

 fall was far below the average, as without some injurious effect 

 upon vegetation. It is of but little value to the ground if," as in 

 many years, the average of rain is restored in the winter months, 

 when the earth is hermetically sealed by frost. 



A rain-fall far above the average may give us a bad year for 

 vegetation, for, unless the moisture comes at a season when it can 

 penetrate the ground and be available to the roots of the plants, it 

 cannot subserve the purposes of vegetable life, as the nutriment 

 of the plant is imbibed in a soluble form, and cannot be available 

 though in full supply, unless it is presented in a form adapted to 

 the wants and vigor of the plants. 



It is thus in the spring and summer months that moisture must 

 be afforded, and that failing at these seasons, vegetation must nec- 

 essarily suffer. The droughts of 1870 and 1871 were in spring 



