The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-07-08
A State Park-ForeStS and Rains

"A SldlS I QIh-I u CSlS ctllll Ioclll4S'
The New York Legislature some time
since appointed commission TO report
upon the desirabiitv. and practicabillty OF
securing the whole Adirondack region for II
state park, and thus preserving the forests
of that remarkable region. There are $780,
600 acres in all, or tract of land which. if
square, would be over 1,3O0Xl 800 acrcs---or
over fifty miles square, or over 300 square
miles. This immense region furnishes the
water for innuncluble factories. mills. &c
About S34 $50 acres, or 1905 square miles,
arc upon the Hudson River side of the
mountain-dividc which separates the head
waters Of that river from the streams flow
inc 10 the st. Lawrence. This would be the
approximate area of the region which would
be required for the purposes of the forest.
park in case it should be determined that the
preservation of the forests covering and pro-
tcctng the sources Of the Hudson is all that
is necessary for that purpose. The commits.
soners state the considerations which have
brought them to the conclusion that these
great forests should be permanently pre-
served.
The following is very Interesting. We
call attention TO the emphatic statement
that Large forests do not increase the an
nual raiuiull.' We proved the truth of this
statement long ago, but have never before
seen il asserted in any report, speech, or cs-
say upon the subject. We also call especial
attention to what the commission Governor
SEYMOUR is the head of III say a> 10 the ruin
Gus results of cutting down forests. The
Virginia Agricultural Society should pay
some attention to this subject. We quole:
They believe. Tia, the great Adnom!ack forest has
powerful Influence upon the rainfall. "ini,1crl-
pcralura, and general clinIatoogy 81 The state
Large forests ito not increase the annual rainfall.
nut cailse a distribution OF the rain IN frequent
Induce droughis, followed by sudden ana trcmen-
dous storms, which are the origin Of disastrous
floods. Instances are given OF the evil results OF
forest slaughter IN France In the periodic doods
which devastitc some OF the agricultural districts
Upon the Hudson river they believe the destruction
" The .Adron'lach forest would have Il calanitouS
elect. The opinions Of Humboldt, De SausSurc,
ilerschei AMI others are given IN connection with
the utnenc Of large forests upon the rainfall AMI
general temperature of country; and after giving
pral instances where the destruction of forests
Was severely felt IN this respect they conclude that
the eating Gown OF forest covering Tie sources Of
stream orrircr 10y exposing DIST EARTH springs,
rIiis, ana brooks TO evaporation dinlinshcs the
supply OF wafer In these streams. Destroy tho for
c>t> and the rain first ceases TO descend then falls
suddenly III torrents which are succeeded py hot,
ba>uas droughts. Having shown that the forests
preserve and project the springs, the com
Ins,iuncrS argue that no man has the right
to cut away these forests and divert by cvapo-
hoy
hats 10 conduct Ii away for his own selfish purposes
by canal or tube. ! hose below him upon TIM stream
the Hlll-own"r. the farmer, and his cattic arr as
the tiulncr ana which VIC find individuals managing
their property In reckless aud selfish maiher'
without regard To the vested rights OF Others IL oS
cOcs the duty OF the state 10 interfere aliu pIoto
i rGh.cdy. The supply Of timber WHICH Il S,ae ios
sesSrs within It's own limits Is one OF the neasuea
ui Its wealth. The lumber trade OF New l oIk was
among lis earliest sources Of Income anu 9ui PSS ,
pl" will have ever 10 regret me ho.il .t, te
trade shall cease to eXist the only
lumocr region now remaining in the SItt'l iuiS q
state park woui amount TO the immaculate aitl' ~
latlon of that trade The commissioners WIS" ao ,n
marx 10 he cujucntly timber preserve anu icset,c'
,dditiun 10 these considerations 81 poiitic ecoo
~, thpro were social and moral reasons WHICH rcet
h. preservation OF the forest adflSapc. JUS eAcct
upoi the general hcalthiulhess ot .le "'a.u mai
,narinr away of the forests In this country mas llau
tendency to raise the tenn ncralfe, ~hlch IN SUM
ner rcscGes such height as tn hc barely "hd'iranle
and I'm our larre cities these txuchc neats' aciuS
mnnu garbage aud cesS-pools, often gave rist 10
cholera and other cpidcmicS. The commissioners
close their report with some remarks on the health.
fulness OF this forest region as summer resort,
and urging the Importance Ia the State OF the
question under their consideration. They rccom-
mend that the wild lands now held 10y the State lie
retained until the matter Is finally decided.