Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-30
Rainfall and Forests.


whenever any portion Of the country
is visited by such disastrous floods as
those which have recently occurred In
Texas a widespread discussion relative
10 the protection OF forests ensues. The
protection of our forests Is emnently de-
sirable. Where they are cut away from
a drainage area, especially on hillsldes,
the amount of silt carried TO the streams
is increased. BY filling up the bed OF
river this generally CAUSES the heights OF
high waters 10 gradually increass with
out any greater quantity OF water pass
ing through the river. A notable case OF
the rising OF u river bed due 10 such de-
posits Of silt is that of the Sacramento
river. In this case, however, the change
is not due to the cutting away Of the for
ests. but to the washing down of debris
largely mining refuse.
Brushes which grow spontaneously on
hillsides are as seryiceable as forests IN
check ~ soil waste and the consequent
clogglng Of streams. so that there Is no
absolute necessity for trees IN this con-
nection. That forests over drainage
area diminish the flood heights OF rivers
by conserving the rainfall ana causing IL
TO pass TO the streams more slowly II
considered highly improbable; that Tor
ests have any influence IN increasing or
diminishing rainfall has never been
proved; but that they do conserve me
water by diminishing evaporation, giving
greater outflow at low water ana pre-
venting the absolute drying up Of streams
seems very likely.
There seems TO be a popular misinter-
probation of various facts concerning
the relation of forests and fainfan For
example, the fact that certain arid dis
tricts bordering upon the Mediterranean
Sea were formerly more thichly popu-
lated than at present has been ascribed
TO 4 formerly better climate, ana tho
decrease OF population has been attrlD-
uted 10 the decreasing Of the regions IN
question There is. however, In tho
FIRST place, no sufficient prcor that mo
regions have ever been seriously deior-
ested by man, and no proof IN the Sc
cond place, that the injurious change OK
climate has not been a natural one
under which the former tree growth, as
well as the former greater population,
has naturally and gradually decreased.
Again. excessive tree cutting. as IN
Savoy and elsewhere has allowed tho
rain 10 wash the soil from the mountain
slopes into the valleys, greatly TO me
injury OF plant growth In both places
| II has also caused an excessive Varia-
ton Of stream volume between sudden
floods at times OF rain and dwindilns
| streams In drier spells and seasons; Dut
IL has not been shown that the destrIc'
| ton Of trees has affected the rainfall.
There are. indeed, very few accurate
records which can be appealed TO IN
evidence Of any such connection, and no
decisive results can be claimed in any
! case.
the forests should be preserved by
every means possible. Their influence
mon soil and water conditions IS impor-
tant. They hold the soil upon the steep
stones; they prevent erosion in hill land'
underlald with impenetrable suRso.lsi
they prevent tho formation Of shlftins
sands 10 check the rapid. superficial flo"
OF water. and thus also prevent the