The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-02-07
Low wase, on Misunderstanding streams.

Low WAtcf On mhnoInntuHIn8 SsISees'
The comparatively small amount Of rainfall
in the latter part of the summer and through
the fall months, In most OF the states along the
Atlantic seaboard, was felt 10 be y serious In
convenience in most manufacturing toWns
where machinery is run by water power, In
many large establishments much trouble was
caused, because the water IN the streams ON
which they have been accustomed to depend
tor their power was for weeks too low toallow
of running full time, and in some cases a TO-
tai cessation OF work for II considerable period
vas necessary. We DO not now refer to the
hundreds OF grist mills and saw mills through
out the country, which are run by streams ana
creeks that were never expected 10 operate
them steadily throughout the year Leaving
these out OF the account, 1t Is probably not
too much to say that the builders and owners
OF scores of large manufactures, who had
thought their water power practically constant
have this year been so seriously inconycn-
fenced that the question of their future supply
of water becomes one Of great gravity. For
they see in the prolonged stOppagcs they were
compelled to make the past season something
more ;han the mere effect OF an unusual
drought, which may not occur once III adozcn
years.
Much has been said and written by those
who have studied the subject carefully, about
the dimnlshcd rainfall in countries ana sec
tons where the forests have been cut down.
and how the character Of the streams In such
localities has undergone radical change, they
beng more subject to sudden ireshets, while
for the greater portion of the year the volume
Of water they carry Is largely reduced. But
such considerations rs these seem to have had
little weight with our manufacturers. They
know that our timber lands are being used up
with the most wasteiul prodigality, but they
have hardly given the matter thought, IN the
light Of its probable effect upon their business.
They have seen the tanners cut down vast re
gions of woodland, 10 obtain the bark with
which to make leather, much as the stock men
IN Texas and on the river Platte, in South
America, used to slaughter cattle for the hide
and talow, the one not caring what became OF
the timber, as the other was indifferent to the
value OF the beef, and this wholesale destruc-
ton OF the original forests has seemed to be a
matter Ia which they had no interest.
The past summer has been particularly sug'
gestive of thoughtful reflection and more care
full calculation for the future, in regard to this
whole question, by manufacturers who would
avoid investing large amounts OF capital IN
buildings and machinery whose value may at
no distant time be greatly impaired by the
falling off IN the water supply on which they
depend for their power. The entire section of
country of which the Adirondack Mountains
form the centre has been greatly changed in
the past few years by the wholesale cutting
down of trees which has been pushed on every
side. 1t is natural, therefore, that the water
courses which are fed from this region should
begin to show the effects which everywhere
follow such causes, and ii is not at all surpris-
ing that the manufacturing establishments in
the Valley of the Mohawk should this year
have had greater reason than ever before toI
complain of a deficiency of water. The char
acter of the Delaware river, and the streams
which fall INTO it, has for many years been un
dcrgong a similar change, and now like
causes have commenced to operate through
out the Valley of the Susquehanna, in Penn
sylvania and New York, where are some of
the largest tanning and numbering establish
ments in the country 1t behooves all manu-
tacturers, therefore, who are dependent upon
water power TO run their machinery, to look
this question squarey in the face. 1t is not
very likely that any stop can or will be put to
the destruction of our forests, so long as we
have any, while individuals or firms can make
money IN this way but those who are tying
up their capital in enterprises where the amount
and permanenCe of the water supply is prime
consideration should take heed, while they
have time, of the changes they have every rea-
son to look for.-Erchonge.