Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-19
For the kennebec journal.
FORESTS AND CLIMATE.

FORESTS AND CLIMATE.
Since the views advocated by Hon. Calvin
Chamberlain and other gentlemen " it'll regard
to the influence Of forests on climate have
obtained so wide circulation and credence,
and since the facts alleged and the theories
advanced are, as you say, startling il their
nature and magnitude, and put with force
that should arrestthe attention of every states
man and.lover Of his country" it seems proper
that your readers should be told that some
learned students of meterology have come to
a different conclusion. Mr.. Chamberlain
writer's on this subject, that forests have an
important influence not only on the temper
ture Of the air and on the winds, but also on
the rainfall, both in respect to amount
and regularity, and that their destruction is
| followed by fitful variations of temperature,
by tempests and floods alternating with
drouths, and finally by such a degree of
aridity as in many cases to render country
unfit for the occupancy of civilized man. Ac-
cording to these gentlemen the destruction of
the forests in Maine has already proceeded so
far as to bring upon US some of the Fremont.
tory symptoms of the desolation that will
overtake US if we continue our present treat
ment of the forests. In the immediate future
they see the approach of time when the
blessed rain will cease to fall in the requisite
quantity on the parched and thirsty land our
springs will dry up, and our rivers cease to
flow, furious winds, with unwonted extremes
of heat and cold, will blast the hopes of the
husbandman.
The facts alleged in support of this dis.
couraging view of the situation do not rest on
a sufficient basis of evi dence to warrant their
acceptance except as they corroborate deduc-
tons drawn from more careful observation
The truth is that wherever accurate meas
urements of the rainfall have been made the
figures fail to show any material change, and
although l have not examined the data for de-
ternuning whether destruction of the forest
disturbes the regularity Of rain or has any de-
leterious effect on temperature or winds, the
presumption is against such theories. Among
scientific men the doctrine of permanance of
climatic conditions is pretty well established
On this point l will quote few sentences
from Louis Blodgetts "Climatology of the
United States" work of very high authority.
1.-The great differences of surface character
which belong to the deserts, woodland and
other more striking features, are believed to
have their origin in climate, and not to be
agents of causation themselves. A moments
reference to this general principle of causa-
ton will, it is believed, render it clear that
the climate originates the capacity for cult
walton with all the incidents of that capacity,
and that If the most extreme desert surface of
the earth were brought under the conditions
prevailing in the British Islands, for instance
those conditions would clothe it with vegeta-
ton and cultivable SOIL and equalize its sea-
sons in the end"
AS regards the forests of our own State
viewed particularly with reference to the flow
ofsthe rivers, Walter Wells has recorded in his
work on the water power of Maine, the follow
ing conclusions Gas to whether forests
materially increase the sum of water precipi-
tated, there is, notwithstanding the various
facts and incidents alleged, no evidence on a
sufficiently broad scale, and sufficiently une-
quivocal to be at all decisive of the question"
MAINE can be shorn of its woods with com.
parative impunity, SO far at least as respects
the flow OF the rivers. and without reference
to agricultural or other reactions.
1t therefore appears that there is no cause
Tor alarm at the destruction of our forests so
lar as climate is concerned. There are
other weighty reasons in favor Of their pre-
servation, such as the increasing value of
wood for fuel and for timber, the usefulness
OF sheltering belts of forest on the windward
side of buildings, roads, fields, &c., and it is
believed that agitation of the subject will con-
vince land -owners that their true interest lies
in preserving a much larger proportion of
forest growth than is their custom.
c. G. A.