The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-12-09
NORTH MOUNTAIN FORESTS,

The utility of preserving the North
Mountain Plateau from being cleared
OIL and made region of settlement,
has been perceived by many, and
sometimes written about, but the ne
cessity of preserving it in the interes,
OF neighboring sections and particular.
ly OF the valleys adjoining or near it
has not yet been sufficiently consid-
cred or produced any proper public
action.
A bill or joint resolution upon this
subject was pending in the lower house
OF the legislature at its last session
and attracted good deal of friendly
support, but Its consideration was too
late IN the session to afford time for
decided or final action. That measure
proposed the appointment of three
commissioners to examine and report
upon the question of preserving the
North Mountain Forest, with the OBJ
ject that upon report made the legis
lature should take action at subse.
quent session.
The principal points to be consid-
cred In this case which have general
interest to the public are the follow
ing -
Ist. To preserve climatic conditions
IN the northeast section of the state.
BY the destruction of mountain forests
great changes are produced in meteor
illogical phenomena, and in one par
ticular result, namely the decrease of
rain fall an injurious effect widely
felt may be produced. Denuding tn e
surface of the earth of its natural for
est clothing, a comparatively arid at
mosphere and drier surface are pro-
duced, and so certain is this effect that
In some countries extensive tracts of
land which were in former ages ferti lie
and we'll populated when partly forest
clad, have, IN consequence of forest
destruction, become almost deserts
but few inhabitants with little produc-
tlon and no trade. BY preserving our
mountain forests as far as possible we
preserve the fertility of our soil and
natural conditions necessary to the
growth and prosperity Of our section
OF the state.
end. The North Mountain Plateau
is the source from which FIVE great
streams of water draw their supplies.
Of these Mehoopany and Bowman's
creeks discharge into the North Branch
eastward in Wyoming county the
several tributaries and head branches
of Fishing Creek passing into the main
stream southwark discharge into the
same river at Rupert, and on the west
Muncy and Loyalsock Creeks contrib
ute to the West Branch of the Susque-
hanna a very considerable part of its
waters. Every one of these
large streams would shrink into com
parative insi ignificancc if their sources
of supply IN the North Mountain For
est were destroyed. At all ordinary
times their water power for manufac-
turing purposes would disappear and
in time of heavy rains the waters dis
charged upon the mountain by clouds,
unimpeded by forest distractions,
would rush suddenly into all the
streams above mentioned, causing vlo-
lent and destructive floods.
Again, nothing can be more certain
than not only along the streams above
mentioned, but also along both branch
es of the Susquehanna with which they
connect, the scant water supply Caus.
ing the river and creek beds, to be
greatly exposed most of the time to
the action of sun and air, would cause
an enormous ir crease of sjckness-or
in other words have disastrous effect
upon the healthfulness of all the COM
munities concerned. 1t is to be re.
membered that the upper formations
of the mountain plateau do not pre-
sent limestone strata, and. consequent
ly, it is not characterized by strong
and numerous streams which could act
as sources of steady supply, The ef-
fects above mentioned would there
fore be speedy and sure.