Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-02-13
PROTECT WATER SOURCES.
The Great Need Of Encouraging the Planting Of Trees
Set Forth BY a Valencia County Correspondent.

To the Editor of the New Mexican.
Eastview, N. NJ, February 11.-1f the
hills and plains of New Mexico We're
covered with trees there would be no
such thing as drouth in this sun kissed
cline. The effect of trees on the eli
mate is to increase the rainfall and
rainfall is necessary to the successful
growth of trees. One is dependent to
a degree on the other and it is some-
times hard to determine which is cause
and which Is effect. 1t Is true that
rainfall sometimes falls on the desert
which demonstrates that rainfall is not
wholly dependent on the growth Of
timber, but there are also well known
incidents of the culture of timber hav
ing revolutionized climatic conditions
into perfect gardens Of productiveness.
The naval history of England affords
one remarkable incident of this nature.
At the time of the establishment of a
post on one of the South Sea islands,
there was not a living tree, shrub or
herb of any kind growing on it's inhos-
pitable shores. There was not even
soil enough to the island on which
bunch of grass might find nourish-
ment For years after the post was
established, on account of the peculiar
geographical location of the island, not
a drop of water fell. Finally from the
refuse vegetable matter, by careful
tending and watering, a small garden
start. in time almost the entire island
was cultivated and Nature came readi-
ly to the rescue. The rainfall increas-
ed as the growing vegetation spread
until in time the uncultivated portions
were covered with tropical verdure and
farming was conducted without the aid
of irrigation. The only explanation
ever offered by those who studied the
situation, was that the growing vege-
tation produced the rainfall
The history of the advance Of civil
ization on the prairies Of the west af-
fords an example almost as striking.
Until about 1890, when Kansas farmers
went wheat mad and even used the
public highways to plant this mortgage
raising cereal, tree culture had been
for years extensive and "drouthy Kan
sas" was almost forgotten. The growth
Of wheat produces hot winds and
drouth and checks the growth Of other
but in spite Of this draw
back, Kansas Is today rapidly becom-
ing timbered state with the result
that climatic conditions are perceptibly
changing and the seasons there are no
more uncertain than In once more ia
vored states of the east which have
since been denuded of the friendly
protection of the forests. Oklahoma |
which was largely settled by Kansas
people, surely appreciated the value of
growing timber and is already reaping !
the benefits of her enterprise.
A knowledge of the value Of trees to-
gether with a love Of nature was in |
culcated in Kansas by the establish !
ment of "Arbor Day" and it's universal
observation by the public schools. For
years 1t was thought that trees could
not be successfully grown In Western
Kansas, but within the last few years
t has been demonstrated that trees
will grow there without artificial irriga-
ion when properly planted and cult
1ated. The annual rainfall there is
about fifteen inches. I have no means
If ascertaining the rainfall east Of the
Mountains in this valley, but the sue
,es.ful raising Of corn and other GER
,als near the mountains would indicate
hat the rainfall was equal to and
greater than in Western. Kan
'as. 1t follows that trees, If properly
Jared for here, would do we'll, making
t possible to transform this and other
,emi-arid sections of New Mexico into
productive, thickly populated communi-
les.
To hasten this much desired result.
he press by agitation and the public
schools by describing Arbor Day can do
much. The mind of the young is easily
by both example and sug-
,estion and love of nature once I'M
,lanted by this custom would rebound
o the benefit of New Mexico in more
Ways than one.
John w. Corbett.