Daily Republican., 1884-02-18
MON DAY, FEBRUARY Is, 1854.
FLOODS and Forests.

Were it not that disastrous spring Hoods
seem to increase in ,olume, power and
destructivenc,s each year, we might
still doubt the philosophy of the de-
struction of forests being the leading
cause of the increase of the floods. For
three years past the foods have increas-
ed in volume each year until this year
they are more terrible and destructive
than ever before known. The forests
along the tributaries of the Ohio are
disappearing at IA id rate. The
NJ nopg ell and All 'gheny, wi ich join
toge her at Pittsburg and form the
Oh,u. penetrate far into the woodland
country of Western Pennsylvania,
Malyl nd ana Virginia. They We're
never known 10 be higher than this
sp'iur.
lhe 4r,at quantities Of snow that have
fm.rl during the winter fell on bare
hil,iGcr, un which there were no more
foIt.,'> 10 protect the snow from sudden
fhaws, and while these mountains and
hills we're covered Win ,rees and under
growth tht show was protected and re-
tanned until it thawed gradually and
was absorbed by the porous earth and
rock hSsllrr> The trees and under
growth removed there was noflindrance
to the snow melting rapidly and rush
ing down mountain and hillsides, fill
ing every rivulet, every stream and
every creek until the rivers overflow
and commit the destruction which now
greets the eye all along the Ohio from
Pitt; bu ( 10 the Mississippi.
1t would not I've necessary to devote
any arabic agricultural land to the
planting and raising of forest trees.
All along every river and creek and
the timber that covers them, judi
cious system of planting trees would
keep these mountains and hillsideS
always covered with trees. For every
tree cut away one should be planted.
That this has been done and can be
done is fully demonstrated in many
countries Of Europe, and even some of
the States of the Union have their ar
Dor day when tree is planted each
year for each member of the family.
This is a theory we believe though
to many it seems incredible. If it is
not correct one, we are not alone de-
ceived. If this then be true theory
it is evident that property and life are
very insecure along our great rivers,
and something should be done to pro-
teCt our river cities from the ravages of
the spring floods. If the destruction of
our virgin forests is in any way account
able for them much of the danger
might be averted by replacing the
forests by rerlanting the trees. This
would appear like slow process, but
not slower than the destruction Of the
forests which has been going on ever
since the country was settled.
So small would be the outlay, 50
inconsiderable the labor required TO
insure for the next generation wealth
of timbcrand equal to that of which
We have had the benefit, and shade and
shelter trees in even more adequate
supply, that it is great wonder to US,
amid all the turcihe facts brought
forward ag2inst the rate at which for
est destruction is going on, there has
been no general movement in
favor tt reo-planting. In Germany
and Austria, for upwards Of half a CEN
fury, TIE number of trees planted has
borne y good proportion 10 those annu-
ally cut down, and it is said TO be GER
tain that this is the case now year by
year. IN France Italy and England
also. tr,r culture is now general, and
is held 10 he Il most important matter
Of Public concerL, But in the United
States, with the characteristic improv-
idenre. which has come to be 4 marked
feat ot American character, we are
destroying onr virgin forests with a
rapidity never before pqualrd i'll any
other country. and without 'aking any
measures 10 insure their fl Ul' growth