1878.] 
Famines in India . 
447 
Subsoil drainage, also, has been proved in India, as in 
England, to be greatly conducive to good cultivation, and 
its benefits have been fofind to be particularly marked in 
seasons of drought. Dry soil, according to Prof. Liebig, 
derives its moisture partly from the vapours of water in the 
air, and partly by absorption from the deeper-lying moist 
strata, from which a constant distillation of water is taking 
place towards the surface. By drainage, the water, which 
rises by capillary attraction, being placed at a greater depth, 
the dry soil now derives from the lower strata a quantity of 
moisture in the form of vapour which supplies the wants of 
plants, and hence it appears that subsoil drainage renders 
the land less liable to be seriously affeCted by drought ; and 
so far it is calculated, under certain conditions, to mitigate 
the effects which, in India, now invariably follow upon a 
failure of the usual rains, or even their unequal distribution 
during the monsoon season. 
Another benefit to agriculture would also arise from the 
more general presence of trees over cultivated areas. In 
the first place their leaves would furnish material for 
manure, whilst the dead wood and branches, by supplying 
means for fuel, would enable the dung of the cattle to be 
appropriated to its more legitimate use as manure. The 
influence of trees over climate is also very important. By 
the process of distillation which is ever taking place in the 
surface of their leaves the temperature of the surrounding 
atmosphere is lowered, whilst they also communicate 
moisture to it owing to the process of evaporation which is 
constantly taking place through their means. By thus ren- 
dering the climate in their immediate vicinity. both cooler 
and moister they contribute greatly to the interests of agri- 
culture, and in only a somewhat lesser degree by the protec- 
tion which they afford to the crops against wind and storms, 
and to the soil from evaporation and drought against dry 
winds and heat. 
From whatever point it is viewed, improved agriculture 
appears well calculated to contribute, in no small degree, 
towards protection against famines in India, and it will un- 
doubtedly do much to save crops from destruction in seasons 
of drought, where artificial irrigation is not available. 
When — from the vicinity of tanks, rivers, or canals — water 
can be obtained to supply the deficiency of rain, every 
advantage should undoubtedly be taken of its proximity to 
protect crops during drought, and to increase the yield in 
ordinary seasons ; but, under any circumstances, the area of 
land which can be so watered must be but small compared 
