New-York tribune., 1885-02-07
THE NORTH WOODS.
A PRICELESS RESERVOIR OF MOISTURE.


THE HUDSON RIVER AND THE PROSPERITY OF MIL
LIONS DEPENDENT UPON THEM
lFRoM AN occAsroyAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
KEENE VALLEY, Feb. 5.-Primarily andessen-
TALLY the Adirondack Wilderness" is tract CT
5000 square miles OF mountainous or high uneven
country, rising In places to elevation Of more than
oOoo feet above the level OF the The surface for
the most part extremely rough and irregular, the
ridges and the narrow valleys which divide them
ming In all directions In most unsysematic fashion, The
southeastern third Of the wilderness, extending from
Lakes Champan and George to the central region OF the
Mohawk Valley has been called the Mountain Belt.
Inc central third from the northern part Of Lake Cham
plain to the headwaters Of the Black Rivei is often
described as the Lake Belt and the northwestern third
OF the wilderness called the Level Belt But there
mountains and lakes in all parts of It, and not much level
country anywhere. The rocks almost everywhere come
very near the surface and the hsdes throughout the
larger part OF the entire region steep that
Wherever the network OF roots removed the thin layer
OF soil slips and crnmbes from tho slopes leaving the
bones OF the landscape everywhere bare and dry The
whole country was originally heavily wooded, and was
hed with innumerable springs, ponds and lakes. which
were full all the year round. The amount OF water
Afforded by this limited area before any considerable
dcsccaOn had been produced by tie destruction of the
forests was something which is entirely unimaginable
anu Incredible to those who have only seen the region
In the later stages OF Its ruin Hundreds OF the smaller
streams, which once with unfalling flow through
the drycst summers, have long since disappeared.
The first and greatest fact quality OF the region.
what may be called its primary and most obvious in
tention or adaptation is its function water supply
feeder Of rivers In its natural cOndi
tlon the water accumulated here the network of root
hbres and the vast spongy OF the soil preventing
Its escape and the area OF mars or wet lands extend-
ed itself yearly little by little, the lower slopes
and plains surrounding the mountain region. The Same
prOc of fhe nttu nnfd land IN
marsh was going on in various parts of Great Britain
when the destruction OF the forests in order to make
way for agriculture first un ertaken there, and 1t
was formerly observed IN different regions OF this
country.
Considered as a water-supply alone the source OF
the great streams OF the stato the Adirondack Wilder
ness has few parallels the globe in the number and
extent OF Its relations to distant communities or in s
The prosperity, arts and refnemens OF great towns
the w"ll-Oeing OF millions or human beings who haze
dependent upon the unfang tides sent forth from It's
fastnrsscs Hundreds of miles away from these sources
the iow from these mountain springs Is sufficient to
create one Of the noblest rivers OF the world No Ian
the mystery beauty and value Of the gifts OF the oun-
tain wilderness to the pcsrIe OF the plains aud OF the
There and is natural. necessary and eternal
condition Tor no permancnee OF These gifts These
trees While the forests stand the springs VIII How,
aud all the wisdom and power Of mankind cannot keep
them flowing II the forests destroyed. Human
activity. unwlsey directed. has dcsolated many hun
deis o square miles OF this great forest region Vast
tracts lie arid and bare In cureless ruin their beauty
dcspoiied, their great function destroyed. and I'M
measurable values bottcd out forever. Their springs
arc exhausted thcr streams will flow more.
Men have. indeed. grown rich by the destruction OF
these forests bus this is much II king should dcmOl-
is magnificent palace adorned by the revenues u ages
and hnlowed hy gloOu, and heroic memories. that ne
might sell ls cedar and ebony Tor kndng gwoOd and It's
priceless tapestries Ia dealers In old c!othrs Besides
nll the revenue which this destructive misuse OF the
region ia ucson has yielded might have been obtained
without serious injury 10 the chrf natural function or
tho Wilde All the wealth and profit drawn from
tbcrcuttlng might have been taken and enjoyed, and
yet NJ The original Wilderness might now he
clothed with prosperous forest and tho streams might
sl How, ~ with uu-hTuuG currents yer with volume
sucic for the happy labor and life OF the millions OF
the distant plains.