, 1874-12-16
ON THE INFLUENCE OF FORESTS
ON RAINFALL.
From the Sugar Cane.)
&c onclud d.)

Ii the foregoing explanations are correct
it will follow that the gentle showers are
attracted by the trees, and that the vio-
lent rain will fall whether trees are pres
ent or not. But the trees on the slopes Of
the mountains check the fury of the vio-
lent rains, prevent the low lands from be-
ing flooded, and save the soil from being
washed away.
The object of the writer of these papers
has been to second the efforts Of Governor
Rawson, of Bishop Westerly, and others
who have from time to time raised q
warning voice to the more intelligent por-
tion of the inhabitants of the British West
Indies. This subject is worthy the con-
sideration of the governing bodies of all
the islands, for even such fortunately Cir
cumstanced communities as the inhabitants
of Trinidad, Dominica, and Montserrat
cannot be too sensible of the Importance
of protecting their woods, whilst Others
less happily circumstanced should under
stand the necessity for doing penance for
past sins, or they may expect no escape
from the consequences.
To the inhabitants of Antigua the
subject is OF as deep Importance as to any,
and as it's condition is better known to the
writer than that of most other islands, the
remaining portion of this article may suita-
bly, be devoted to the consideration of the
subject as affecting that island.
Ever since its first colonization Antigua
has possessed the unenviable notoriety
of being q dry island, and has at intervals
sustained severe d%rOughts, which have
caused failure of the crops, and much sui
fering to the inhabitants. As the fiat land
lies to the North and East of the island
and the mountainous district to the South
and West, the prevailing winds pass over
the greater portion of the cultivation
before they reach the sides of the noun
tainS. Hence to some extent their rain
producing power is lost. But even If no
mountains existed to the South and West
the remainder of the island should receive
at any rate a normal amount OF rain. The
average rainfall upon the island is however
perhaps only one half of that of the ada
cent and visible islands of Guadalupe,
Montserrat, and st. Christophers. This
small rainfall can only be attributed to
local influences, indeed Antigua is better
placed for taking the first charge of mois-
ture from the laden air, as it lies to wind
ward of the other islands. Many indica-
tons exist to show that the climate is
more dry than formerly, and that the
destruction of forest has proceeded at an
accelerated rate. The drying up of the
springs has already been noted. The alb
sence of a regular rainy season, such as in
past times was general, is a circumstance
ofcommon notoriety. The water accumu-
lated in Body Ponds is less than formerly.
The large silk-cotton trees found here and
there attest that trees could formerly
attain maturity. Few or no trees of
similar kind are growing to take their
place. The roots OF large trees are found
where no trees grow at present. The hills
formerly covered with wood are now
Invested of it, and their bare and dreary
appearance as the island is approached
offers a marked contrast to the luxuriant
growth of wood, which covers the. sides
ofthe beautiful islands of Guadalupe and
Montserrat. The frequency and the long