The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-03-16
CLIMATIC INFLUENCE OF FORESTS.

From time to time during the past six or seven
years, we have presented in these columns the
views of scientists and the results of observa-
tons by meteorologists on the subject set forth
in the heading of this article. In view of the
already disastrous drought that has prevailed in
various parts of our islands during the past three
months, we offer no apology for again presenting
the subject for the consideration of our readers,
with the hope that an aroused public opinion may
have the effect to influence needed legislation on the
culture and preservation of our forests. That
forests and vegetation affect the climate of the
earth's surface cannot be doubted for a moment
by those who have given the least thought or
examination to the subject. We hardly need to
point out to our readers those countries once the
abode Of %swarming millions who formerly repre-
sented the arts, arms, science and civilization of
mankind, but which are now only scenes of desola-
ton, treeless, barren, desert wastes of sand, ira
yersed by wandering tribes of men but little
removed from the degradation of savage life.
The eastern and southern shores of the Medi-
terranean and countries adjacent may, however,
be specified as the most striking example we
have of the effect produced upon the climate of
any given region by the destruction of it's forests
and vegetation. Every school-boy reader of his
tory knows that Persia, Arabia, Palestine, |
Egypt, Carthage, and countries now bounded by
the great Sahara, were the seats of the ciyiliza-
ton and learning of ancient times and the ex-
plorations of modern travellers among the ruins
of their buried cities attest the splendor and
magnifcence to which they had attained. Spain
and Greece, with the Mediterranean, Canary,
Cape de Verd and Madeira Islands afford exam
pies nearer our own day of the terrible effects of
such vandalism, and warn US of our own fate in
the not distant future if we continue to disregard
the solemn lessons which they afford.
The public mind abroad is fully aroused to the
Importance of this subject, and in some countries
notably Germany and some of the States of
America-legislative action has been invoked to
protect future generations from the evil sure to 4.
be wrought by the destructive tendencies of the
present age. The simplest, most effective and only
consists in the planting and protection of
forest trees and it is a wise economy that would ,
give a bonus to every owner or occupant of the soil
who will plant successfully a given number of
forest trees, for the country at large would soon l
be benefited by their growth. 4
We do not desire to question the intelligence /,
of our readers upon this subject, for We believe =
those of them who have given the matter the :.
least examination are convinced of its transcen- =.
dant importance, and are in accord with us in l
that our authorities, legislative and ex- :
.ecutiye, might be constrained to take such action g.
as shall be necessary to protect US from the terri .
fate which has overwhelmed the countries we .
have named. =
In California and the Eastern States, as we'll q
as in Europe, private and public effort has
made a beginning, which promises the
best results if persevered in, and is interesting to
US as pointing out the most feasible method for P
us to pursue. In those States which have taken a
legislative action the method pursued has been to S
protect the young trees planted by the roadside, b
a bonus per hundred for thrifty trees at q
| certain age, planted at a specified distance, and e
Ind a smaller bonus, (the individual benefit '
being more direct) for plantations of growing "
rees, which have attained a stated height, on
arms or tracts of land before destitute of forests. 9
This seems to us the best way in which the mi p
lal steps can be taken, for the reward to the !,
though small is immediate, and in a A
little time the benefits he receives will induce nc
i'm to continue the good work without looking ii
o the State for further recompense. 81
What a barren aspect the treeless plains OF
etween the mountains and the seashore presents lie
o the wearied eye of the traveller around our pC
stands And what gives Honolulu such a beau Ct
ltul appearance on approaching it from the sea. th
ut the abundance of vegetation in which it is 70
OF the delight of the cooling shade vi
f trees in a tropical cline we need not speak, as
'r everybody appreciates that. But we wish IT
to call attention to the facts which al
has demonstrated in those countries =.
here attention has been more directly pointed a,
the subject. tn
1t cannot be controyerted that the effect upon pl
Jung anu growing crops on larmS surrounueo be
? shelter belts and lines of trees, is of the most oil