276 THE FLORIST AND 



Greater part of this is lost on an undrained soil, while on one that is well 

 underdrained the whole of it is or may be retained. The expehse of culti- 

 vation is less on the drained than the undrained land. You can plow it 

 earlier in the spring and later in the Tall ; and after heavy rains, when the 

 land not drained is so wet that man- nor beast cannot go orr it, the drained soi$ 

 will be in fine condition to work. The whole of the increase in crops ob- 

 tained from draining must be considered clear profit. We believe one-third 

 increase to be a low estimate ; and as this one-third of the entire produce 

 of the farm is clear profit, it will pa} 7 a high interest on -the thirty dollars 

 invested in underdraining. Any farm which from its location is worth $40 

 to $100 per acre, if it needs draining, cannot fail to pay a handsome inters 

 est for money judiciously laid out in underdraining. 



The effect of thorough drainage On the climate of a country, is a sub-, 

 ject too extensive and important to be discussed at this time. That it has 

 a marked effect on climate cannot be doubted. Prior to the general adop- 

 tion of underdraining in England, the wheat crop was generally affected 

 with mildew, rust, smut, and various insects, to such an extent that the crop 

 was quite uncertain ; with the introduction of underdraining these blighting 

 effects were removed, while ague, which was common before, is wholly un- 

 known now. 



Shade trees and forests, like large bodies of water, are well known to be 

 great moderators of cold in winter and heat in summer. The disappearance 

 of such vast forests has seriously affected the climate of this continent ; 

 hence peaches and other fruits are not those certain crops they were twenty 

 years ago. The climatic equilibrium has been disturbed, and must ! be re- 

 stored. We must cease to cut down so recklessly the noble forests, and at 

 the same time must plant shade trees. This will have some effect ; but we 

 submit, that thorough underdraining will be found the best and most eco- 

 nomical means of equalizing the climate, removing the insects, &c, wjiich 

 make such fearful devastation with the crops, and of improving our national 

 agriculture. — Genesee Farmer. 



♦ 



NEW OR RARE PLANTS FLOWERED FOR THE FIRST 



TIME AT SPRINGBRQOK THIS SEASON. 



NO. VII. 



Lycaste Harrisons*:.— Two varieties of this are known to cultivators of 

 Orchids, one with yellowish red flowers, the other with white, A fine va- 

 riety bloomed for the first time lately in our collection with pale lilac 

 flowers, each about two inches across, and; with the lip deeply veined with 

 rosy purple lines. It is of easy culture, thriving well in a moist atmo- 



