242 INFLUENCE OF RAINS. 



uriant growth of grass depends not so much upon the 

 aggregate annual quantity of rain that falls as upon its 

 distribution over the year, and especially over the 

 growing months. A frequent rain in spring, though it 

 may come in small quantities, causes a rapid and suc- 

 culent growth ; but it may be laid down as a well-fixed 

 principle, that the grass crop is better from large 

 quantities of rain falling at once and at longer inter- 

 vals, provided it does not come in torrents to pros- 

 trate the crop, and that the intervals are not so long as 

 to ^produce droughts, which are always attended with 

 deleterious effects, than from smaller quantities fall- 

 ing with greater frequency. The quantity in the latter 

 case will not ordinarily be so great as in the former, 

 but it is more than compensated, it is thought, by the 

 increased value. The fact that grasses grown in a dry 

 season possess greater nutritive and fattening qualities 

 is well known to every practical farmer. 



So great is the dependence of the grasses upon heat 

 and moisture combined, that, knowing the results of 

 observations of the thermometer and the rain-gauge in 

 any section, during the three growing months of April, 

 May, and June, one might predict with great certainty 

 the results of the harvest in that section ; and, on the 

 other hand, the yield of grass and hay, as stated by 

 practical farmers in different sections of the country, 

 would indicate so clearly and uniformly the excess 

 above the average, or the partial failure of the crop, 

 that a meteorological map of that section might be con- 

 structed from their statements. 



Before proceeding further in this investigation, it is 

 proper to remark that, in order to bring together the 

 practical wisdom and judgment of some of the best 

 farmers in the country, as well as to be able to present 

 some statistical information in regard to the product of 



