Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-12
Farm and FzreszAe.
Wood .s.v.D Iy.sTRR.

One of the most interesting and valuable
of recent congresses is that of the land and
forest cultivators at Vienna. The Italian,
Dutch, German, Belgian, French, Hunga-
rian people and governments were repre-
scented, and the United States had deputy
present. who was probably seli-appuinted.
There were about four hundred members,
and the chief point Of the discussions was
the preservation of the forests as a protec-
ton of the water supply. 1t is subject in
which this country is not less interested
than Europe. Already in many parts of
New England there is a serious decline In
the supply of water, and the value of trees
for something else than lumber or sugar is
making itself plainly fell. The volume OF
water in the Ohio is stated in the report of
the congress TO be evidently diminishing.
The same is true of the Hudson, upon
which the extent of nav igable water is
yearly reduced. In the Old World the
summer ow-water mark of the Ebe in
1887 showed diminished supply in half a
century of ten feet. The Rhine and the
Oder have likewise declined.
The facts presented to the congress are
htlihluSs ENdlIy iiNcTS utNt cullTtly us
appeared, or are shrunken to little streams.
In Palestine the springs are dry. The Jor-
dan is four feet lower than in former DAYS.
Greece has suffered severely from the fall
OF the forests. In Hungary the drouth Is
periodical. Sardinia and Sicily have lost
their ancient frutfulness. On the other
hand, there were formerly but five or six
days OF rain during The year in the Delta
of lower Egypt, but since Mehemet Ali
planted some twenty millions of trees, the
number OF rainy days is forty-five or six.
Ismalia, upon the Suez Canal, was built
upon sandy desert, but since the ground
has been saturated with water, trees, BUSH
es and plants have grown, and with the
appearance of vegetation the climate has
changed. Four Or five years ago, says the
report, rain was unknown in these regions,
but in the year from Nav, 1868 10 May,
1869, there were fourteen days of rain. So,
also, near Trieste, finely wooded region
was desolaed by the Venetians, and TWEEN
ty-five years ago rain had ceased to fall.
But, TO save the country frnm total aban
donment, the Austrian government plated
several millions OF olive trees. The very
soil was conveyed in baskets but, with
care, the trees took root and thrived. 1t is
stated, also, that the conversion of the des-
ert of Utah into a blooming country has
raised the Salt Lake seven feet above its
old level.
Such facts, collected from every country
FACTS of forest destruction and coincident
decline of the water supply. with the fur
Al, a., Al hot. 81, ;,la
tional lines-have suggested the wisdom of
International action. The Austrian Minis
ter Of Agriculture was president of the con
gress, and he was authorized TO communi-
cate with other governments to secure in
ternational agreement upon the subject.
The resolutions declare that only by such
international action Can the increasing de-
vastaiion of the forests, with all its conse-
quences. be stayed that il IS the mutual
duty of civilized states to preserve careful
ly the forests that are of vital importance
to the land, such as those at the sources and
along the courses of rivers, uron sea coasts
and steep mountain sides; and that inter-
national principles should lie laid down, 10
which the owners of such guardian forests
should be subject. The congress recognize
ed that II had not as yet sufficient kpowl-
edge of all the evils resulting from this
devastation, and demanded more copious
and exact data. The Importance Of the
movement is that 1t commands attention to
a subject which has hitherto had no associ-
ated and imposing presentation. In this
country especially II should be most care
fully considered, because, while so much
woodland remains, II is still devastated
with reckless ignorance. The agricultural
papers aud the cattle-show orators could do
no more signal service than to. point out
the reality and the reason and The extent
of the evil. The Agricultural Department
at Washington will, we hope, think II