119 



closed through the day when practicable. In this way a low temperature may usually 

 be preserved, and the grafts kept perfectly dormant till planting time. 



In closing, I wish to say a word in favour of mixed planting, especially in regard 

 to cherry and plum orchards. By mixed planting I mean the intermingling of 

 varieties. With small fruits the principle is established ; with plums it is recognized ; 

 and late observations in various countries, notably in California and Europe, incline 

 to the belief that alternating varieties in the cherry and plum orchard favours 

 regular and continued fruitage. It is advanced by Prof. Budd and others that a 

 variety which may be relatively a poor bearer when planted alone and depending on 

 its own pollen may be found regularly fruitful when intermingled with other sorts; 

 and further, that if the weather during the blossoming season is hot and windy a 

 variety may mature and waste its pollen before the pistils are in a condition to be 

 fertilized. In such cases, if surrounded by different sorts, the work might still be 

 performed through the agency of insects and the breeze. 



I will only add that I wish the title of my paper to be borne in mind in con- 

 nection with statements made, and the varieties touched upon regarded as promising 

 in advance of more extended tests, though many may develop defects not yet noted. 

 But from varieties herein mentioned, or others not named of the same race, we will 

 I believe, be able to select sorts which, if not of the highest quality, will at least make 

 cherry growing more profitable and satisfactory in northern latitudes. 



The President. — As the time has now arrived that we should adjourn this meet- 

 ing, I must ask you to forego discussion on Mr. 'Craig's paper for the present. 



The Convention adjourned until 2 p. m. 



Friday Aeteenoon. 



The Convention re-assembled at 2 o'clock. Prof. Penhallow presiding. 



The President. — The first paper we may consider is one of great value, having 

 been contributed by B. B. Fernow, Chief of the Forestry Division, Washington. 

 Mr. Fernow is not here, because of a similar engagement with the American 

 Horticultural Society ; but Prof. Saunders has the paper in hand, and will present it 

 to the meeting : 



Forest Influenoes : by B. B. Fernow, Chief of Forestry Division, Department 

 of aaricttlturb, washington, d. c. 



We have heard a great deal during the last ten or twenty years of the influence 

 which the forest exercises on the climate, the rainfall, the flow of springs and rivers; 

 and those who have entertained and advocated the view that such influence exists 

 have pointed to the far eastern countries, which once fertile, and verdant, are how 

 desolate and arid wastes ; they have related the devastations by the torrents in 

 southern France due to forest destruction, and in Italy, Switzerland, Tyrol ; they 

 have explained the lack of rain in Spain and on our own central plains by the 

 absence of tree-growth, and have advocated tree-planting in order to increase rain- 

 fall. Wherever a flood occurred forest destruction has been blamed as the cause ; 

 even the drought which has been experienced during the last summer in the western 

 country has been brought into relation with the unusually large forest destruction 

 by fire with which the western mountains were swept. 



While there is undoubtedly much truth in the observations which have led to 

 the general popular belief that forest and climatic conditions have certain relations 

 to each other, the generalizations have, it is to be feared, often been carried too far. 

 Consequently, those who did not share in this belief have denied forest influences 

 altogether, haVo even considered the theories which such great men as Humboldt, 

 Buffon, Boussingault had in regard to them as fallacious, and demanded better proof 

 than the very-day observations, which, they said, leave out a consideration of other 

 causes which may have had similar effect to that which was ascribed to forest 

 destruction. Among these objectors are many scientific men, and the only way in 



