REMARKS RELATING TO CLIMATE. 223 



covered with boards, during a frost, the under surface is covered with congealed vapor : the 

 source of the vapor is the ground, not the water in the boards, as may be proved by employing 

 those which are perfectly dry. What takes place, then, during winter, takes place in ordinary 

 circumstances during the summer. In order to promote this upward movement or circulation 

 of water, we keep the surface loose and well hoed ; if this is not performed the surface be- 

 comes compact, or impervious, from induration. Water which rises thus from below is charged 

 with inorganic salts, the aliments of plants. 



One of the objects which I had in view in speaking as I have upon draining, is to prevent, if 

 possible, unnecessary expenditures in this way, inasmuch as I believe that a large proportion 

 of the farming lands of New-York do not require draining now : the same lands, it is possible, 

 may be benefited in time or hereafter. It is an interesting subject for investigation to determine 

 the effect of culture upon the texture and consistency of the soil ; whether moving it with the 

 plough, and -working it, may not effect changes in its condition which ultimately may require 

 draining : if working it gives it greater compactness, such a remedy would be required in time. 

 This, however, may not be a result of long culture. It will be observed that I do not disap- 

 prove of draining ; but I have taken the ground that there is less necessity for it in this country 

 than in Nova-Scotia, New-Brunswick, Newfoundland and England, notwithstanding meteoro- 

 logical tables may show that a greater number of inches of rain falls annually here than in the 

 places I have named. Our climate is eminently dry ; this is its characteristic. It arises partly 

 from the gencal direction of our winds, which is from the north and northwest, or west and 

 southwest. Blowing, as these winds do, over a vast tract of land, the moving air is deprived 

 of its moisture. Northeast winds, which are loaded with vapor, are more common, I believe, 

 between the months of October and April ; and hence their effects upon growing plants are not 

 remarkable. We have a limited territory in New-York which may be regarded as an excep- 

 tion to the general dryness : for example, the vicinity of the great lakes is less dry than else- 

 where ; it is, however, local. 



ADDITIONAL REMARKS RELATING TO CLIMATE, 



Having introduced incidentally the subject of climate, it may not be amiss to proceed farther 

 with the same subject. The facts relating to the climate of New- York were treated of in my 

 first volume. I regarded the subject as an interesting and important one. There are some 

 general facts which I propose to state now. Latitude and height are the controlling elements 

 of a climate ; but there are important modifying influences which should not be overlooked. 

 Among these are the prevailing winds of a country. We see this statement illustrated by the 

 westerly winds on this continent : these, as has been stated, are comparatively dry ; but westerly 

 winds, in England, are charged with vapor. The position of a country, then, should be noted 

 with reference to its relation to extended territory of land or sea. While we note, however, 

 the fact that the westerly and northerly winds are dry, we also find that they are cool or cold, 

 have a chilling influence on an early vegetation. The northeast winds being loaded with va- 

 por, feel colder than the west and northwest, though more so than is indicated by the ther- 



