New YorK AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 435 
power. The effects of darkness are produced in a lesser degree 
in the absence of sunlight in those regions where clouds or fogs 
prevail. 
It is possible that there may be considerable watery vapor in the 
air, even though the sun is shining brightly. This invisible vapor in 
the air at blooming-time may have an unfavorable effect upon the 
reproductive organs of a plant, for the chemical effects of the sun’s 
rays must vary with the humidity of the air and the moisture must 
have a direct effect upon them. There seems to be known but little 
that is definite in regard to such humidity. The florist knows that 
a dry atmosphere is much preferable to a humid one for the setting 
of tomatoes, cucumbers and melons in the greenhouse, and we may 
assume that this is as true out of doors as in doors. 
It is well known that dry air allows heat to escape by radiation 
more quickly than does a moist atmosphere. Other factors being 
the same, frost, therefore, is more severe in dry, sunny weather 
than in moist or cloudy weather. Excessively dry air, too, often 
causes a greater transpiration from leaf and flower than the roots 
can supply and if a wind arise the organs are dried up; so, too, a 
hot sun may parch- the reproductive and floral organs. But these 
ills of dry, hot weather are not commonly felt at blooming time in 
New York. 
WIND AND THE SETTING OF FRUIT. 
Wind of sufficient strength to damage blossoms is mentioned 
in the reports we are considering in the years 1881, 1882, 1883, 
and 1895. 
In the years when rainfall was detrimental to the blossoms, 
wind is mentioned several times as an accompaniment. 
Wind is not mentioned in any of the years of frostiness. 
It is certain that wind at blossoming-time may be injurious and 
we may assume that it is sometimes beneficial. Its effects may 
be summarized as follows: 
Injurious effects—— Strong winds may blow or whip blossoms 
from the trees and prevent insects from working. Long continued, 
warm, dry winds injure blossoms by evaporating the secretion from 
the stigmas, thereby preventing the retention and germination of 
pollen ; such winds often do much damage in bleak regions. Damp, 
warm winds, if long continued, are unfavorable to pollination and 
fertilization. A cold, dry, north wind in blooming-time often 
proves exceedingly unfavorable to the fruit crop. Such a wind 
