The Globe-republican., 1899-01-05

the forests do undoubtedly exert IN ~
portant influence upon the climatic
conditions. The general storms Of our
country may be dependent upon Tie
relative conhguration Of land and VA
ter, as well as upon the lines Of elev1-
tions. These are conditions that are
arranged on q plan Of grand proper
tions. They cover continental areas:
still, 1t may safely be asserted that the
fortunate or judicious distribution OF
forests IN prairie regions, and even on
our great western plains. can not fail
to exert q controlling influence Of vast
importance and OF greater or less ex-
tent. Certainly the local climate will
be affected by the woodlands, which
act Upon 1t in the following manner:
Firstly checking the force of the
currents of air. woodlands will. in .
great measure, prevent excessive evap-
Grafton, and the moisture thus permit
ted to remain in the soil will prove a.
valuable as an equal amount In rain
fall.
Second.-The forests are of great
value in similar way by the influence
Of their shade. which prevents tho
fierce rays of the sun from exercising
an additional power in drying the soil
by evaporation. This has been fully
demonstrated by the long continued
experiments of Prof. Ebermeyer Of Ba,
varia.
Third.-The trees are Of great value
by their agency in the same direction
through the action of their leaveA
which cause a more copious condensa-
tion Of the atmospheric humidity than
will occur in closely adjacent lands
bare of such vegetation. This fact has
been abundantly proved by the exper:-
ments Of the same careful observer
whose results have been confirmed BY
others.
Fourth.-It has been found. more,
over, that the atmosphere within q
forest of some extent is always more
humid than that Of open lands In the
same neighborhood. So also the tenn
perature Of the forests and of the soil
itself is always lower In summer and
higher in winter than that Of the open
lands. cultivated or waste; the climate
is rendered more eQuable.
Fifth.-Another very important mat
ter must be apparent to the most casual
observer, to-wit: That the moisture
10 n
great measure, retained and allowed to
percolate quietly into the loose and
mellow soil, and even to reach the sub
soil and fssile rocks beneath. Its flow
is obstructed by fallen leaves. twigs.
branches and logs. by MOSES. roots
and herbage; whereas. the came
amount of rain, when falling upon the
compact turf of a grassy pasture or
upon the bare surface OF arabic lands,
especially when these are firmly trod-
den. sun-baked or frozen. will at once
flow of by every depression, carrying
with it the best elements of the soil.
suddenly swelling the streams. and
eventually cutting the fields into
frightful gullies and chasms SO as to
destroy their usefulness as farm lands.
Sfxth.-Most especially is 1t impor-
tant to preserve forest growths upon
decliyitous lands. hillsides and river
banks, particularly in those regions
where our streams take their source.
Mountain regions. emphatically those
of an Alpine character, should be
largely, nay, almost exclusively, devot-
ed to forests, and these should be sa-
credly preserved, for in this condition
alone can such tracts of country most
perfectly fulfill the destiny for which
thew seem to have been designed by an
all-wise Creator.
The mountains are the sources OF the
streams which fructify the earth. They
intercept the floating clouds, laden
with yapor, that is precipitated upon
them: when forested, this Is retained
and furnishes perennial springs. that
combine their many contributions to
All the streams which unite to form the
worlds rivers, and thus. after enricn-
ing the earth and turning the busy
wheels of manufactures, they open TO
us channels of commerce OF the most
valuable and economical charactHr. IL
these elevated regions be chiefly COW
cred with trees, they are In the best
nossible condition to fulfill their admir-
able function of receivers and reser-
voirs of pure and healthful waters.
which they slowly, but regularly ana
faithfully, give up for our use ana ior
the continued fertility of the earth.