The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-22
Tls 8atIama daily 6lobs
TUESDAY, AUGUST %, 1876.
Especial Correspondence OF the Troy Daily
Tlmes.l
THE HERMIT'S LETTER.
Tho Drouth - Effect Of Forests on Climate
Treo Culture Neoessity-How our Forests
are Disappearing Hints for Dry Time.
Nru YnpV AUG 8 1876

are Disappearing for Dry Time.
New York, Aug. 8, 1876.
The present drou,h has inflicted dam
age whose amount is not easily estimated,
but on all cultivated land it will thus far
average So per acre al least. This fact is
sufficient to call public attention to the well
established cause of such misfortune
the destruction of our forests. | do not
say that every drouth is thus occasoned,
but think that it has been long since de-
monstra,ed that certain proportion OF
woodland is a necessary protection against
such an evil. There are many persons in
| this city who feel grudge against Com
modole Vanderbilt because of his destruc-
ton of st. Johns park. This plot of four
acres was laid out so years ago, and the
trees were selected by Louis Simond, q
French saUant. An eminent phyiclan in
formed me that the greatest variety of trees
| that would grow in this climate was gath
cred on that plot. Once this park was con
sidered one of the glories of the metropo-
| lis, and many have regretted TO witness itt
transformation into vast freight depot.
| bOMk fAClSs
1t is said on good authority that in tht
western states, where the planting and cul
ture of trees have been on the increase
there is an evident improvement in the fal
of rain. 1t is more regular iand more
equally disturbed. On the other hand q
forests are diminishing in the eastern part
of the country, the scarcity of rain is in
creased IN corresponding degree. 1t ha
been estimated that about 100000 acre
of timbcred land are cleared every year il
this country, and it may be reasonabl,
urged that for every acre thus cleared Their
should be an acre planted--or else that tn
clearing should be left to its natural return
to the growth OF trees. Experience vii
yet prove that only such source will main
tain our AGRICULTURAL supremacy. Th
most valued of timber, such as live oal
and black walnut, is now very scarce il
this state. and hence the manufacturers o
this city depend on Missouri for their sup
ply. Other choice timber is also becoming
scarce, while the interior forests are rap
idly passing away.
LESSONS FROM ABROAD.
The only line (which George p. Morri
ever wrote worth remembering is, "Wood
man spare that tree" This injunction
should lie widely repeated, since its i'm
portance is taught us BY a look abroad.
is said that there is less of forest land i
Spain than in any other country in Europe
and Sir John Hcrschcll, some years age
gave this as. the cause of the extreme AR
dity of the climate. A still more paint
picture Is found in the history of Greece
remember the allusion made in one {
Mr.. Francis's editorial letters from the II
,yb;cb bSPWR, TO the protracted droutf
, and which were ascribed to the destructio
of the forests. George L. March refers
the same facts. lie says that there a
narts of Asia Minor, of Northern Afric
] of Greece, and even of Alpine Europ
!, where the causes set in action by man hay
!. brought the face of the earth to desol
tion almost as complete IS that of Il
moon. w thin the historical peric
these tract, are known to have been co
cred with luxuriart woods, yerdant pa
lures and fertile meadows, They are no
too far dcteriorated to be redeemable
man" The detail of Mr.. Marsh's stat
' ments will be found in his excellent wo
= called "Man and Nature" in which II
= subject is handled with great abiit
s America like Europe, will find this one
=, the most important questions OF the age.
n WHAT Is DONE ABROAD.
S, Mirebeau, who fourished more than
century ago, estimated the forests of Fran
at one-third the entire area. This propt
ton is thought by Mr. Marsh to be pl
= per one for country with the climate a
soil of France. AT the lapse OF centu
another examination was made, and it v
found that thel proportion of forest la
was but one-ffth of the whole. L
showed that during the century REFER
to the annual destruction had been ao'
100000 acres. The French authort
have since then protected their forests
severe enactments, which extend even
-L private domain. They have also crea
the department of forest service, which
one time included nearly thousand
spectors. employing a guard number
5000. Under such protection the LOT
surface in France is increasing in T
.E. which will eventually restore the prosr
lily OF the soil.
GERMANY.
Jn,Germany the forests ale under lie
protection, and the agricultural sche
he have department of forestry. Lectu
are delivered on the culture and mana
ment of woods and their. influence on
mate. The forest nursery is also an
portant theme. 1t is go arranged that Ia
plantations of trees shall be ready, eacl
aDpointed divisions of time, for the q
while others are still in growth. 5
3N plantations involve the contemplation
Nv national veal rather than that of priv
individuals The pine may in 80 year
his ready for service, and as.soon as trac
as cleared another planting should take pi
This may seem very slow method "
the lives of individuals are conside
= Hence it is to be remembered that
3 done for the life of the nation. Ihree
turtles ago Palsy wrote thus
much marvel at the great ignS0 nor nee o. io
They care not for the time TO come, nor OF
treat damage they do their children.
II is worthy of notice that the Ere
X have restored to fruitfnlness portions OF
Algerian desert by tree planting, and
said that the emperor of Russia has in
same manner undertaken to reclaim
vast steppes which arc found in his dol
- ions. In view of this, one may refer
much satisfaction TO the scheme which
been frequently canvassed of making
Adirondacks and the Immediately surro'
ing forest, grand state park. This
at least secure 1t from the ravages OF
woodman.
HOME TESTIMONY.
We are so intimately connected
Canada that our interests cannot easil
separated, especially in matter of SO
importance MS the timber supply. J'