Middletown transcript., 1871-09-16
THE RESTORATION or ronEsrs.
Written for the Middciown Transcript
BY Frank W. Hawlcy, d. s., late Of the MassA
chuse,ts Agricultural College.

Written for the Middle,own Transcrip,
BY Frank W. Hawlcy, d. s., late Of the MsssA-
chuse,ts Agricultural College.
Tho consequences sure 10 follow the de-
structon Of our forests, demand the most
earnest attention. II we look at France
or Spain saa note the effects produced
where the forests have been generally re-
moved, we find that the climate and the
general condition Of the country are chang.
cd And the result will be the same here;
the climate will become extreme and un-
healthy, there will be nothing to pro-
tcct the earth against the bleak winds Of
winter or the scorching heat Of summer
and barrenness must cnsue.
The benefit Of shelter to cultivated fields
and especially TO fruit trees is very great,
and when we remember that we are una
bic TO raise some Of the more tender fruits
in New England to-day. that were grown
without difficulty Us far north as the Ken
nebcc. in the time Of the first settlers, we
can see one Of the effects Of the destruc-
tiun Of our forests
Tho consequent influence upon the mois-
turr Of a country Is great. Decayed or
ganic matter in the soil. filled with roots.
aud sheltered from tho sun, Is able TO ab-
sorb and retain large quantities OF wafer
aud thus the greater part OF the rain, and
the melted snow Of spring, is retained. BY
this means the numerous springs found in
forests are fed, most of which disappear
when the land is clear; these springs in
turn feed the brooks and Of course it must
follow that if the former fail the latter will
suffer in consequence. Thus we can ac-
coun, for the drying up, at the present
,imo, Of streams which formerly furnished
motive power for mills Of considerable size
through tht entire year. The snow, too.
which covers the ground in spring, mcl,s
rapidly unless protected from the sun; n9w
if this protection is removed aud tho rb-
snrbing power Of the earth taken away all
the melted snog together with the water
falling as rain, rushcs ut once into the
valleys Of the larger streams, often caus-
ing much damage TO property. The in
undations Of the Connecticut river afford
good illustrations OF the fact
Nor is this all !; the water as i, pours
down the sloping sides Of hills and noun
tains carries along with it large amoun,
Of organic matter thus constantly taking
away the soil from uplands aud deposi,ine
i, i'll the beds Of lakes aud nayigable rs-
ers. and forming dangerous shoals in har.
bors Ii the demolition Of our forests con
iinaes and nathine is done to replace ,hrin
the green bills which surround US on ave-
~ han1. to-day, will in time be stripped
ni their verdare anil reduced to bare riig-
Is If sterile rocks. aud the consequtt,
flooding Of tar corresponding valleys will
renler them uuinhabiiable.
In some countries this has already taken
place. Il is stated that mir containing
substance. uoxious 10 health is cleared Of
them by passing through the foliage Of
trees.
The swamps Of Virginia aud the Caro-.
linas We're healthy 50 long the forests
remained, which has not been true since
they we're ieilel and il is even believed
by some tha, the planting Of few rows
If sunllnwers. between the Washington
Observatory and the mafshy bank o. the
Potomac. has prevented the severe feyers
10 which the inmates OF tia, establishment,
were formerly subject The effect Of trees
upon scenery j. too Obvious 10 call for re-
mark Ii the hills are robbed Of tlis
source Of beanty. they lock bleak and les-
olate; but when clothed with rich forest
growth they add greatly 10 tie in,eres, Of
landscape.
Thus We can see that reasons for .h.
restoration II the forests are numerous aud
important in what ways can this be nc.
camplished In mnny countries the gov.
ernm.ut regulates the cutting and plant
ing of trees, bu, il ia not in accordance
with the principles of ours to 10 this: pri-
vaie enterprise mus, attend 10 the work
Siii, tho government should remunera,n
those who plan; to sufficient exten, to
benefit the public, by exempiing them
from tax. or in some similar way
: The planting Of trees may seem to offer
no profit to the individual owner Of land !;
bu, this not true. There are hundreds of
} aeres in Massachusetts which yield the
} owner absolutely nothing in their present
condition Now il this land be covered
with growing wood, which can easily be
done by sowing the seed. its value sill
: rapidly increase. Instances are recorded
where land has leea raised in value in
iesa thail twenty .eafr, from cighteeh To
one Hundred and ifty dollars per acre and
ay this means alone In order to accom-
! plsh this desired restoration of our forests
the first thing to be done is to stop burn
ing over aud sowing land with grain when
lis timber is cut. Then by using for this
purpose all tho old fields not necessary for
cultivation or pasturagc, we shall greatly
increase the amount Of wooded land. In
doing this We shall extend the surface tina,
rctuins moisture. and lessen the surfsce
exposed TO the sun We shall add to tho
reservoirs which hold the necessary water
to refresh the bare earth in summer, aud
decrease the amount that needs refreshing.
And may the time soon come when we
shall SOC the bare hillsidcs which surround
US covered with forests, as they were in
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