HYDROLOGY OF NEW YORK 



35 



80,446 acres. The total tons of hay in 1850 were 75,076; in 1890, 

 105,134 tons. Probably the statistics as pertinent as any to the 

 case in hand are those relating to changes in live stock. For 

 instance, in 1850 the total number of milch cows was 10,022, 

 while in 1890 the total number was 22.919. The total number 

 of horses, mules, milch cows, oxen and other cattle in 1850 was 

 40,812, while the total number of all these classes of stock in 

 1890 was 44,810. Considering the total of hoof cattle, we might 

 say that the increase had not been so great, but when we con- 

 sider the total of improved area in comparison with the unim- 

 proved area in 1850, and also in comparison with the amount of 

 stock then and in 1890. we see at once that in 1850 the principal 

 pasture area of the country must have been in forest, whereas 

 the pasture in 1890 must have been, as in fact is well known was 

 the case, largely in permanent meadows. Keferring to Risler's 

 results as to the amount of water required for crops, we learn 

 at once the great increase in water demand for supporting 

 crops from 1850 to 1890. 



In a paper, Rcchcrehes sur V Evaporation du Sol et des Plantes, 

 Risler has given the results of experiments at his estate in 

 Switzerland, carried out specially with reference to ascertaining 

 the mean daily consumption of water by growing agricultural 

 plants, as well as by vineyards and two kinds of forests. 



The following matter relating to Risler's experiments is con- 

 densed from Ronna's Les Irrigations: 



By way of confirming the results of investigations as to the 

 water consumed by growing plants, etc. carried out at the Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station of Rothamsted, England, Risler has 

 shown the different methods employed by him in 1867 and 1868. 

 By a continuation of these experiments in 1869-72, he has shown 

 the mean daily consumption of water by lucerne, wheat, oats, 

 clover, meadow grass, etc. One of his interesting conclusions is 

 that winter wheat would have consumed daily from April to 

 July, 1869, 0.10 inch of water per day for 101 days, or over 10 

 inches for the growing season. The experiments on water con- 

 tent of soil show that for the year 1869 the crops must have 

 taken a small amount of water from the ground which, with the 

 rainfall was sufficient to produce a satisfactory crop for the 

 meteorological conditions prevailing that year. 



