The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-07-11
PLANT 4 TREE.
rhs Importance Of Protecting and Rs'
newinG Our Forests

newinG Our Forests.
Very naturally, in all new countr'es'
lie settlers feel that the forest Is an
remembrance. In fixing the vaiue OF
land, the estimated cost of clearing II
is subtracted. The splendid growth OF
Hundreds of years is leveled to the
ground. and is burned or left to rot.
later. when lumber comes to have
marketable value, :here is disposltion
to cut down what remains OF the Forest
with no thought of the future. Treat
trncts which were at one time covered
with a magnificent growth OF TIMBER
have been stripped bare, with results
that are too plainly visible. :.
Forests are the natural sources OF
our water supplies. The SHOWS, shelf
cred from the warmth of the vernal sun,
melt gradually; they fill the springs;
they are soaked up by the soil; ana,
gradually released, they yield wei
come flow far into the summer. But
when the forests are removed, the snow
lies open to sun and rain. 1t melts rap
idly into devastating freshets, and with
the passing of torrents, the reservoir is
exhausted. There follows a period OF
drought, and the level in the wells
n.onr the course of the river is lowered.
The natural tendency of the rainfall IS
to carry from the hillsides the richest
portion of the soil, to transport 1T hrst
TO the river, and then to the ocean. Ma
ture arrests this tendency by interiac-
ing all through the soil the roots OF the
trees: but. when the trees are cut away
this gracious process OF nature
thwarted, and the hillsides are robbed
OF their legitimate fertility. The re-
,noval of the trees also removes the an
nual deposit of leaves, which constl
tutes one of the best portions OF the soil
1t is an easy thing to destroy forest
.. A few hours of fire, a few months OF tn
woodlands ak, will undo the quiet wori
of centuries. But to restore it is yer.
difficult thing. The East Indian govern
! rnent has been trying for years to re
store the teak forests of that country
> France and other of the older countries
= taught by experience, require that
tree shall be set out every time one
cut down.
The lumber industry of America
} among our greatest sources OF wealth
: The impression has somehow gon
abroad that the forests OF America al
irexhaustable; but nothing can resi-
N the wanton waste to which our woo'
lands have been subjected, and airead
o the results of the rapid destruction
e orr primeval forests are seriously fel
a The denudation of our hills and mou
D. ta;ps is injurious alike to city and cou
d try. for 1t has direct and most serio
n effect upon the amount and the puri
a OF the water supply.
n For these reasons it is clear that
NJ preservation of the forests is prop
De subject for national legislation.
Connecticut river, for example, mo-
er through Connecticut and Massacf
ne sets. but the forests which shelter
n springs are in Vermont and New Han
ad shire. All our large rivers, indeed, n
eel through several states. so that
ng sources of supply are of national,
ID merely state interest. Hence tn
NO should be a national forestry comm
ar sion and forestry laws. !,
re- Everyone who plants tree, whetl
in city or in country, is public be
factor. We trust that every teach
every parent, every scholar, and W
ever is able to do SO, will set out
- least one tree on this years "Ar
. 6ay." and still better. will help to
- terest and organize his neighbors,
at pupils, his school fellows, for concer
action in this benedcient work.--N