The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-06-05
Influence Of Forests on Our Streams,

Influence of Forests on Our Streams.
1t is well established that the protection
afforded by the forests against the escape
of moisture from its soil insures the perma-
nence and regularity of natural springs,
not only within the limits of the wood, but
at some distance beyond its borders, and
as the forests are destroyed, the springs,
which flowed from the woods, and conse-
quently the greater water courses fed by
them, diminish both in number and in vol
ume. This fact is so familiar that there
are few Of the older residents who are not
able to testify to its truth as matter of
personal observation.
! For the benefit of those who have never
fully considered the facts, we will call their
attention to few circumstances to show it
more clearly. On the uplands which for
merly abounded in water courses and small
creeks, which have been cleared for gen.
GRAFTON or two, the hill pastures now suffer
severely from drought, and in dry seasons
no longer afford either water or heritage
| for cattle.
1t has always been observed that the
clearing Of ground not only causes running
streams to diminish and finally disappear,
but dries up the stagnant pools of the low
grounds. The first roads in the country
ran along ridges when practicable, because
there only was earth dry enough to allow
| IF fhoir and for tho
reasons the cabins of the first settlers were
perched upon the hills.
Almost every treatise On the economy of
the forests, adduces numerous facts in sup
port of the doctrine that the clearing of
the woods tends to diminish the flow of
springs and the moisture of the soil.
In countries where the woods have been
cleared from the mountains, the rivers,
which seemed to have lost part of their
water, suddenly swell to an extent that
was before unknown, and again as sudden
| ly decline.
This influence of the forests upon the
waters of the earth has been more studied
in France than in any other part of the
ClNllLCu WOllu, UCCauoC tAdU Couuliy hdo
in recent times suffered more severely from
the destruction of the woods, and evidence
| given by the writers of that country on the
subject is very strong, and numerous cases
are cited and instances given showing that
before the telling of the woods regular
and sufficient supply of water has been
given which was almost unaffected by
drought or heavy rains. But by the de-
struction of the forests, streams before
quiet have become torrents after every
shower, and after few days of fine weather
the currents fall SO low that it has been
necessary to change water wheels because
those of old construction were no longer
able to drive the machinery required of
them, and at last, in many cases, they have
been compelled to introduce steam engines
to prevent the stoppage of the works for
the want of water. Other instances are
| given where water powers have formerly
existed and afterwards failed frcm the fell
| ing of the forests, and when subsequently
young trees have sprung up or been plant
ed where the woods originally stood, that
as they grew the water increased until
finally the streams have gained their origi-
nal state and furnished abundant water in
the longest droughts.
| In consequence of the destruction of our
forests, the soil is barred to it's covering of
leaves, broken and loosened by the pillow,
dried and pulverized by the wind. The
face of the earth is no longera sponge, and
the rains which are poured over it hurry
swiftly along its slopes, and in Spring the
melting SHOWS and rains no longer absorb
ed by loose leafy mould, rush over frozen
surfaces and pour down the valleys, instead
Of filling the earth and storing up a supply
of moisture to feed the springs during the
Summer. The streams, wanting their for
mer regularity of supply, and deprived of
the protecting shades of the woods, are
heated, evaporated, and thus reduced in
their Summer currents, but swollen to rag
ing torrents in Autumn and Spring.
So far as we know the primative cendi-
ton of the regions brought under human
occupation within the historical period,
it appears that the overflow of river banks
was formerly less frequent and destructive
than at the present day, or at least that
rivers rose and fell less suddenly.
The banks of rivers and of smaller
streams were formerly little washed away
by the currents, and even now the trees
come down almost to the waterss edge
along the rivers in the larger forests, and
the surface of the streams seem liable to no
great change in level or rapidity of cur
| rent.
The great scarcity of water in our
streams and rivers at certain seasons of the
year, which is so frequent in the more set
tied parts of the country; and which de-
prives many who depend on water for the
power to propel their machinery, is not
owing to dry times or dry seasons, although
the seasons vary, but it results from the
constant destruction of our forests, and it
will decrease as the great fountains of sup
| ply are cut away, and it behooves all who
are using water power to weigh well the
fact, and for those who look upon water as
a never failing power to consider the ex-
perience of others not only in this country
but in Europe and other parts of the
world, and that the only remedy for them
is to prevent the unnecessary destruction
of timber, or the use of steam as motive
power, which experience is rapidly showing
to all to be the best, cheapest and most
reliable.
W The finest champagnes come from
the pinsau no,r, or black Burgundy grape,