1849.] exercised hy Trees 071 Climate. 401 



Eeyenue Departmejst. 



No. 981. 



Extract from the Minutes of Consultation under date the Sfh Sep^ 

 temler, 1848. 



Eead the following letter from Assistant Surgeon Edward Balfour, 

 From Assistant Surgeon Edwaed Balfoitr, Madras Army. 

 To The Secretary to Government. 



SiE, — In the Madras Spectator of the 13th Instant it is mention- 

 ed that a despatch from the Court of Directors had reached the 

 Supreme Government and been communicated to the Government 

 of Madras on the subject of the effect produced by the presence of 

 trees, whether as natural wood or the result of arboriculture, upon 

 the climate and productiveness of any country, but more especially 

 of India. 



2d. A rem^ark in one of Dr. Priestly's writings had directed 

 my attention to the influence of trees on the health of man, and in 

 the course of my inquiries, some years ago, I think in 1840, I ar- 

 ranged a few notes which I had collected on a collateral subject, viz. : 

 the influence of trees in inducing rain and preserving moisture. 



8d. These notes were published as an editorial article, to which 

 the Editor prefixed the following paragraph. 



' " The foUomng precis on the value and advantages of trees, 

 their causing rain to fall in the districts where they grow, &c. will 

 no doubt be read with pleasure by those who take an interest in 

 the agricultural prosperity of India. The subject is one of great 

 and general interest in any country, but, more particularly so in a 

 country like this, where irrigation is of such paramount impor- 

 tance, involving the comfort and even existence of millions of our 

 fellow creatures." 



4th. This commendatory paragraph from the scientific and 

 learned Editor makes me hope, that, at this time, when infor- 

 mation is sought for, these notes may be accepted by the Govern- 

 ment and may be deemed not unworthy of being added, or of 

 forming a preamble to the information which they may be able to 

 collect from other servants of this presidency. 



I have the honor to be, &c. 



Edwabd BALrouE, Asst. Surgn. 



Madras Army. 



