The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-05-21
WANTED-MORE TREES.

Forest culture must, sooner of later,
demand both State and national legis-
lation. The rapid destruction of
woodlands in this country can but ulti-
mately lead to many of the untoward
results which have marked the pursuit
of a similar course in Europe. So dis
astrous have they proved In France,
that In 1860 the Government appropiat-
ed 100000 francs, to be expended at
the rate of 100000 francs per year, in
executing or aiding in the replanting of
woods. This sum, IL was computed,
would secure the creation of new for
ests to the extent of two hundred and
fifty thousand acres. The work of re-
planting has been going on ever since.
A few years ago the Isere, Drome,
Ariege, the Upper and Lower Pyrenees,
the Lozere, Ardenbes, the Vosges, and
other departments OF France were al
most depopulated because the soil was
rendered uDproductive by the destruc-
ton of the wood lands, which were
natures safeguards. George P. Marsh
predicts that the land in many portions
or the United States will become simil-
arly unproductive, unless public atten-
ton Is aroused. "The degradation" he
says, "of the soil is perhaps not equally
promoted by q combination of the
came circumstances in any of the
American Atlantic States; but still
they have rapid slopes and loose and
friable soils enough to render wide
spread desolation certain if the further
destruction OF the woods is not soon ar
rested" The climate of New York has
already been very perceptibly affected
by the rapid disappearance of the wood
lands, and he asserts the telling of the
Adirondack woods would ultimately
involve for Northern and Central New
York consequences similar to those
which have resulted from the laying
bare of the Southern and Western de-
clivities of the French Alps" In Ohio,
Indiana, and Illinois, the mischief has
been very apparent There has been
decided change in the surface soil from
wet TO dry; in the climate, from one of
great evenness to one of rapidly alter
mating extremes; in the streams, from
living fountains all the year, to stagnant
pools in the summer, and raging tor
rents in the spring and fall. Streams
formerly valuable for the water power
they afforded, have become almost dry
except in seasons of food, and even Ill
inOis, as large o river as it is, has be-
come almost useless for the purposes of
navigation, now that the sources from
which 1t was fed have been cut of.
Some two years since the question of
w d6 Oc-
fore Congress, in bill looking to the
prosecution of such an undertaking.
Judge Edmonds, Commissioner of the
General Land Office, has strongly urged
the importance of the undertaking.
lie has argued that many of the vast
Western plains can only be rendered
habitalbe by planting forests, which
will fertiliZe and moisten the soil, soft
en- and modify the climate, and protect
men, animals and crops from desOlating
wind.
He has, therefore, suggested, first,
that the Homestead Act be SO amended
as to oblige the planting of trees by the
settlers; second, that Government sur
veyOrs be required to plant the seeds of
trees adapted to the climate around
each established corner" and thirdly,
that grants be made for the purpose of
demonstrating the probability and feas-
Utility of growing forests upon plains.
We look to see the matter again
brought before Congress at an early
day.-Nesc York Commercial AdUey-
tISeT.