The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-12-29


who have not studied the subject can
hardly realize the necessity of ample
forests to the welI-beiDg of q mountain
GUS territory like Vermont. The sup
ply and distribution of water In such
country depends almost entirely upon
the amount OF land covered with W Gods.
With their removal, especially on the
moustains and Hills, the present gener-
alton has seen gradual but steady
diminution of rivers like the Lamoille
and Winooski, which formerly were
full and splendid streams throughput
the year, but which In the summers of
to-day are hardly more than a succession
of pools intersected by sandbars. Our
own Otter Creek has escaped the de-
structive influences longer than most of
the Vermont rivers, but of late years
we have been moro than once broue hit
to face the. prospect of a failure of its
water-powers, and at the rate at which
its head waters are being laid bare, it
will in ten years become mere melan-
choly reminder of its former self.
The necessity of forests to the we'll
being of rivers is easy 10 understand.
The soil which gathers about the roots
of an old forest is deep and porous,
composed as il is of decayed plants and
the fallen leaves and debris of the trees.
1t absorbs and holds water like a
spoDge. Shielded by the leafy canopy
above it from evaporation by the sum.
mer sun, 1t form vast and unfsiing
reservoir whose waters slowly trickle
into rills and brooks and springs, FORM
ing continuous aud ample supply for
the rivers. The rain which falls upon
the forest descends into and is retained
by this sponge, to be drawn upon in its
turn. No matter how dry the season,
there is moisture to draw upon, provi-
ded the forests be there. and the streams
will not cease to flow. But if the hills
and mountains are denuded of their
woods, there is different story to tell
Soon the light soil that served as a
sponge, no longer held in place by the
trees, will be washed away, and the
rain and melting snow, falling upon
hard ground, flow at once down into
the beds of the streams, filling Them
with soon-spent and useless, if not
destructive, torrent, and then they re-.
lapse Into insignificance until the next
rain. Their supplying reservoir has
been taken away, and all that is left to
nil their beds is the irregular and I'M
certain rainfall poured into them as
quickly as it falls.
Without its forests Vermont would
be largely desert, barren and rocky
waste, unable to support an agricultu-
raj population. 1t is not, then, without
The greatest concern that thoughtful
men can see the suicidal waste of our
woodlands continue. Much of the do.
main OF our state is incapable of cult
walton, and is fit only for the support
OF forest growth. If once cleared, the
renewal of the forests will over large
spaces be work of extreme difficulty
and expense, because the soil and the
moisture necessary will be gone. The
good OF the whole state demands that
the insane clearing off of the uncultiya-
BILE mountains and hills should cease.
The wood is doubtless valuable in dol.
lars aud cents, but of much moro value
is the vUmUrt and happiness OF the
thousands to whom the charms of wood.
clothed mountains still arc left. OfI
much more value are full staeams and
drought defying springs, for on these
rests the continued prosperity of Yer
mont. A desert cannot support
people.
There is no more important work
for the people than that before the new
forestry commission, of which we have
discussed only one phase. If thew do
IN full what may be expected of them,
their report to the next legislature will
not only give us full information as TO
the extent and condition of our forests,
and the animal progress of their destruc.
ton, but will show how the waste NAV
be stopped and the damages be repaired
oy growing new forest on the thousands
OF acres OF waste land now desolate by
reason of the woodman's ruthless ak.