The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-02-03
Preservation Of Forests.

Ifsper read By f. A. Bprnen before tie
Farmers Iastitate
Among the physical questions that are
coming before our people. and engaging
the attention none surpass in importance
that OF how best to preserve and reproduce
our forests.
The ruthless destruction OF forests has
already produced serious results in our
own country; while in many European
countries this question has become so inn
poriant that schools of forestry have been
established and stringent laws enacted In
regard to the cutting of timber trees.
We do dot appreciate the blessings we
have always enjoyed. To our pioneers
the forest seemed the greatest barrier to the
advancement of civilization, and they
learned to rcjoice in its destruction. In
their struggle To subdue the forest many
farmers gladly fell the last tree on their
farms, little knowing the effect when otheis
should clear the adjoining territory.
But the effect has come. The inhab-
tants of once thickly wooded tracts seem
unable to account for the increased intensi.
ty of the heat and drought in summer. and
the severity of winter. The soil of many
farms seems gradually to have lost its
original fertility, and surface veins Of
water, which were once inexhaustble, no
longer produce sufficiently reliable sup
ply for our wells.
Let us study the influence of the de-
struction of forest growth in countries
where time has been sufficient to mark its
effect The inhabited portions of the earth
were once covered with forests. A vast
wood belt stretched from the Pyrcnees
mountains. in Spain, 70 the Himalaya's, of
central Asia. From the Atlas mountains.
in Africa, to the Mediterranean sea was
forest belt.
History points to southwestern Asia as
containing the most powerful nations of
the earth. Her rich alluvial soil was GOV.
cred with dense forests and supported q
population of teeming millions. But civil
and martial power passed westward and
spread along the borders of the Meditier-
ranean Sea. While revealing in luxury the
people Of Rome were fed mainly by the
products Of her own soil.
The powerful nations of Asia have been
reduced TO nomadic tribes. The splendor
of Grecian and Roman power has fallen.
The once productive fields of northern
Africa lie parched and barren. and Spain
no longer leads the nations of the world.
Some powerful natural cause mast have
exerted mighty influence to produce this
great change.
The countries bordering on the Medit-
terranean Sea, situated at the southern
limit of the snow line, possesses natural
advantages for agriculture, not eXcelled by
any modern nation. This denstly wooded
territory has been despoiled of its flagnifi
cent forest until in Rome but two per cent
and in Greece but one per cent remain;
while in Turkey almost the last bush has
been destroyed for fuel.
Among the causes which have weakened
these early nations one of the most power
full is a lack of food. The country once
the garden of the world, now vibrates
between fierce sand storms and drOughts
on the one hand and dcluging rains on the
other. The mountains have been denuded
of their forests and from the scared and
barren soil no moisture is evaporated to
cool the air and promote gentle showers.
When storm breaks forth, there are no
leaves nor roots to prevent the rapid escape
of the water, and its swift descent it car.
ries away the nutritious elements of the
soil, and leaves the country more scared
ard barren than before.
Man, unprotected by the forest, finds
himself unable to overcome the adverse
clements of nature and at last retires from
its desolation. Whatever strikes q blow
at the agriculture of country deprives
the nation of its substance. To be pros.
porous and happy a nation must have
food.
One of the first injurious influences
noticed in the removal of forest growth. is
the drying up of springs and rivulets
caused by the destruction of leaves and
humus in the soil which absorb the moist.
ure and prevent the rapid escape of the
water. Days are required for the removal
of the water from the forest. where as
many hours will suffice TO drain the open
field
The forests modify extremes of temper
ature by promoting the evaporation of
moisture from the leaves and soil. This
moisture is condensed as il rises and falls
in summer showers 20 again cool the air
and promote the growth of crops.
Forests equalize the rainfall throughout
the year and tend to prevent the fierce
storms which sweep over the country,
damaging crops and washing away the
soluble elements Of plant growth. The
extremessof our western plains prove the
value of trees in equalizing temperature