Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-01-21
OUR FORESTS.

There are some of the direct results OF
the removal of forests that are apparent
even to the least observing of men; where
there are other results more indirect,
which can only be traced by the aid OF
long continued experiments and tests,
and by the incest discrimination and OBJ
servation. OF the former we may
instance the effect of the removal of for
ests from the head waters of streams.
The precipitation of rain and snow
waters into streams where no obstructing
forests exist is much more rapid, caus-
ing sudden high foods of short dura-
ton. It is not hard matter for any man
to see that when the watershed of river
is covered with dense forest, the ground
in which is laden with deep coating of
leaves, spongy mold, half decayed logs,
and other impediments to the free move
ments of water, the water can not be 80
suddenly precipitated into the large
streams, as will be the case in open,
cleared smooth lands. But when you
attempt to lead him little farther into
the indirect and consequently less easily
traced results of the removal of forests,
such as the effect upon climate or still
further upon development and civiliza-
ton, he is quite apt to kick over the
traces again (for fear of mental strain, no
doubt and brush the whole thing aside
under his favorite appellation "bosh."
The influence of forests upon the prog
ress and development of the human race
have not, and probably never will be, full
ly understood. It is an historical fact
that the many of the old eastern countries,
such as Asia Minor, Syria, Persia, and
some portions of the old Roman Empire
were once magnifcently timbered coun-
tries, highly civilized and populous. In
the building of their great cities these for
ests were destroyed, and to day we find
them horrible deserts, scanned with
worthless sands. We can hardly believe
that this now scarcely populated semi
barbarous, and wholly unproductive
country was once the threatre of so glori-
GUS an era of the human race. Where now
are the Cedars of Lebanon, and the fruit
full fields that our Savior passed through?
It is d history that the
Russians, at the time of their struggle
with the Circassians, converted a consid-
cradle portion OF their country from fer
tile lands into deserts by burning their
forests, and thus cutting off the rain sup
ply. lu0r6 dT0 Obu0T uISCOrlCdl instances
OF rain DESERVING country after it had
been denuded of its forests. It may be |
hard to imagine such state of things
ever visiting our country, yet why not?
Why should we be exempt from the
working of the natural laws OF cause and
effect?
feel sure that we have great lesson
to learn here. 1t is not yet too late. We
have yet large remnant Of our rich nat |
ural forest remaining. Let us husband |
and augment it. We, east of the Mis-
eissippi have been treating the forest too |
much like a natural enemy because it
numbered the ground that is wanted for |
other purposes. While we are destroy
ing thousands of acres annually, our
brothers of the western plains are prov
identity planting as much or more. We
NAV we'll take lessons of them for q time. |
Shiocton, Wis. w. ID. BoYNToN.
The above article displays in a strong
light the dangers which accompany the
of the forests. 1t is as plain
as demonstration in mathematics that |
il the general destruction of IFS forests
renders region unfit for the successful |