1 Nov., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 491. 
the rainfall, and that in a warm country they diminish its moisture, and 
pezsoquently its fertility, is correct. As already pointed out, the theory is 
proved by history and ruins, and the rapidity with which changes in the 
climate of different countries have taken place entirely forbids that such 
sudden modifications should be ascribed to cosmic causes. We accept 
other scientific problems on much more flimsy evidence, but in this instance a 
large number of us suddenly swerve aside and follow a school which starts new 
theories on partial observations and leaves re-evaporation out of consideration. 
Ebermayer found from experiments made that during July the hottest month 
in Bavaria, only 6 per cent. filtered down to any depth in a forest the ground 
of which was covered with complete and undisturbed vegetable mould. 
In the one case the water rapidly runs off into streams and seas by sudden 
floods and freshets, and this too when the whole atmosphere is surcharged with 
moisture, In the other instance the water is stored for re-evaporation through 
the foliage of the forests, and is given forth at the time when the air is drier 
and the winds do not blow from the sea. It may be safely stated that more 
than the rain which is thus stored in the ground is re-evaporated by the trees 
in time of need, and even at this low computation a well-stocked, a well- 
protected forest area, the vegetable mould of which is undisturbed by cither 
fire or the axe or rake of the ‘‘rab” or “sir” collector would re-supply to the 
atmosphere at least one-third of the moisture which is precipitated on it. This 
would be available for the open country. If, therefore, 830 per cent. of the 
country was under complete forest, the rainfall should increase by 10 per cent. 
under conditions similar to those which exist in Bavaria in July. 
In India, or any other country with such a fierce climate as ours, the 
influence should be more marked. 
The monsoons in India, it is argued, must be quite independent of forest 
growth. Quite so. J’orests can have no influence whatever on the amount of 
moisture drawn from the ocean, and the general direction of the winds is 
unquestionably governed by greater causes, but, apart from this, periodical 
rains are subject to the same general laws as all other rains, and must, therefore, 
be affected by the same causes, and amongst them by extensive forest growth, 
in exactly the same way and degree. The air may be charged with moisture 
which need not, however, be precipitated. If an extensive snowfall in the 
outer Himalayas can affect the monsoon rainfall, it seems. certain that forests 
can do the same, though probably not to the same degree.—‘ Forestry in British 
India,” by B. Ribbentrop. 
PRESERVING SWEET CHILLIE PEPPERS, 
During the winter chillie peppers are not plentiful, but with very little 
trouble a constant supply may be maintained. A correspondent gives the 
following directions for stringing chillies :— 
When the chillies are ripening go over the field once a week, picking all 
the ripe ones. Leave a long stem on the pod. Expose them to the sun for a 
day to toughen the skin and stems. Then with a long slim needle sling them 
through the stem on strong twine eight or nine feet long. When the twine is 
full, hang it up in a dry cool shed where there is plenty of ventilation. Be 
careful not to string any poor or damaged pods. When dry store them in a 
dry, cool room, hanging them on poles or nails. 
These dry chillies are used in making beef stews with boiled beans, &e. 
For a stew, take 1 lb. or 2 lb. of beef with a little fat. Cut the beef and 
fat into 3-inch squares, and boil tilltender. Then take ten dried chillies, and 
remove the seeds from all but one pod. Boil the chillies for five minutes. 
Then with a knife scrape off all the red pulp from the skins. Put this pulp 
back into the water and boil for five minutes. Keep it stirred till it is all 
dissolved, then add it to the stew. Let the whole boil fora minute or two, and 
thicken with a very little flour. 
