New-York tribune., 1901-08-11
HIDDEN USES OF TREES.
THEY GIVE OXYGEN AND MOISTURE.
From The Chicago Post.

From The Chicago Post.
UtiIitarians consider the trunk the important
part of the tree. The trunk is wise makeshft
of nature which towers alOft. and tries to lift
the vital organs of the tree-the leaves-OUt of
harms way and into purer air and brighter n
shine Beneath In the ground the strong roots and
rootlets have hundreds of eager, thirsty mouths
which take nourishment from the earth Water
and mineral matter are carried upward by the
process of capillary attraction to the leaves in
the crown and the branches for digestion and
assimilation. leafess tree stands little chance
of living. Trees denuded of their leaves by cat
erpillars and other mischievous things de-
prived of their stomachs and lungs once.
Every leaf on tree is increasingly industrious
day and night. Examine the linden leaf or in
fact any leaf will do-the truth applies to all
and notice how its surface is spread TO catch
the sunshine. The under side of the leaf has
different appearance The tissue is tenderer and
a network OF breathing pores section placed
under the objective of the microscope reveals
tiny cells filled with a greenish liquid called
chiOrOphyl, which plays an important part in
| the domestic economy of the tree. When undi-
gested food from the ground has been carried to
| the leaves the chlorOphyl seiZes ii, and under
the influence of sunlight changes It to nOursh-
ment The chlorophyl also breaks up the car
bon dioxide with which it comes into contact,
and, hberating the oxygen sends it out into the
atmosphere.
Digested food materials are carried from the
leaves to all parts of the tree and aid in its
growth. Leaves as the lungs necessary in
the process of breathing. Like animals, the tree
needs oxygen and breatheS much after the
ner of a human being Not only is the life Civ
ing ar taken INTO the lungs or leaves, but II IS
inhaled through tiny openings in the bark, just
as men and animals transpire through the skin
These tiny breathing holes called lenticels
and may be seen plainly the bark of cherry
and many other kinds of trees. AS the tree
drinks water, it sweats and exhales water vapor
along with the oxygen cast off from the carbon
dioXide.
Tons and tons of moisture is evapOrated from
wooded areas This is another beneficial act
| Water vapor in the atmosphere is essential to
agriculture. Trees transpire through cracks and
assures in the bark, where the enticeIs are
hidden from sight. This is especially true in old
trees. From time to time scientists have COM
puted the leaf area of trees and the results have
been astonishing An ordinary linden leaf has
a surface of ten square inches. Multiply this by
the number of leaves branch and calculate
the LEAKAGE area of the tree. This entire surface
is liberatng oxygen and water vapor day and
night.
In the arid sections of the West the people are
beginning to see that forestry md irrigation are
the factors which will count for their prosperity.
About one million square miles more than
One-third of the United States. is forest land.
The destruction of forests has been eXtrava-
in hand ard decided thirty eight reservations
where the forests viii e under intelligent super
vision. There has been some misunderstanding
. in regard to these reserves, although the inten-
ton is preserve The forest and encourage the
growth of young trees at the same time the land
, aVaila bic for settler ent will be increased. AS
forests conserve the rainfall and influence the
humidity OF the atmosphere, newly planted for
/ ests will wedge in between farms on the reser-
vatiOns and farms penetrate the clearings in old
/ forests. Sheep herders and settlers be
taught intelligent forestry and tree wisdom
/ spread broadcast over the land before the tree
receives the reverential respect due to it,