The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-21
region drained by the Rock river, in south
eastern Wisconsin.
1lnH,,enea a., Dla%rlht,&lon ~

On the point of the influence OF the for
est on water distribution, the bulletin
says:
st is we'll known that forests economize
the distribution Of rainwater. The con-
stantly decaying mold and the freshly
fallen leaves and branchlets form a per-
petual reservoir for. the storage, OF a large
amount Of moisture, which is allowed to
drain off gradually instead OF flowing rap
idly into the valleys. Not only does mois-.
,ture eyaporate slowly from the matted
leaves lying closely packed in horizontal
layers, but the leaves also clothe and pro-.
.tect the underlying soil, which Is crumbly
and porous and is thus capable of holding
a. large supply of water Partao this wat,
:ersis gradually given off to the lower layers
OF the soil; another part is taken up by the
trees to serve in the processes OF growth,
some OF 1t being ultimately, given back to
the air by transpira ton thru the leaves;
the remaining part Of the original supply
is sevaporated from the, soil and mold.
Water distribu ton, as well as eyapora-
ton, has therefore been affected by the
reduction OF forests areas in southeastern
wisconsin. ss5.@t 4. 5. ~ IS s.. IS
4 1.-THE changes that have taken place In
the character and composition OF the for
ests that remain standing at the present
day have likewise had an effect upon the
water flow. Nearly all OF the present
woodlands have been cuiled over and are
often entirely Of second growth. so that
Y their crown cover Is probably more open
now. than it was under primitive forest
&cond ions; while the mold, which has
been exposed to wind, ,rain and sum-, Is
tscant and thin as compared with the for
! n1er RICH, deep soil soYer. In the more
open spaces Of the forest grass and weeds
i have replaced the protective mantle OF
shrubbery and saplings, and the soil be
meath has lost its porous. crumbly consis-
! teney, and has become more compact.
4" A large proportion OF the smaller wood.
i,lots are kept In this open condition as s
result OF pasturing. It is difficult for the
rain to penetrate the dense intricate roo
] system of this new surface growth an6
ito enter the compacted soil Much OF the
rain Is caught In the grass and herbage
and afterwards sevaporates. while the veg.
citation absorbs with avid tty what mois
!. ture It finds in the upper layers OF the soil
i The forest suffers under these advers.
condit ions; the trees begin to dry at ths
top and prematureiy die. : II
3 WoodIot Possibilities.
IS Considerable attention is paid 4 In tr,
bulletin to the productive possibilities o.
I the woodlot in order to show that thu
owners OF lands in the Wisconsin regior
would reap a good. harvest from extend
ling the forest area on their property
4 The bulletin has a word OF sound adVlc,
jsto the farmers OF Minnesota as we'll Il
{ regard to this often neglected woodlot
i On this point: the bulletin has the follow
j ing to say: se..s B 81 u s-
i .The woodlot, IL properly cared for, i
1 money put at interest. The day when !;
farm is valuable In proportion to tn,
q amount. OF cleared land Is long past 4
!, good woodlot is like good buildings. goot
drainage and good roads ON Improvement
with a market value when it becomes do
: sirable to sell. IT Is often said that tree
6 grow too slowly to be worth the farmer
care in this country, whore every on
Hooks for quick returns The answer
s. the daily conduct OF the very people VIII
!. use the argument. The thrifty farme
!, insures his iife,a when the woodlot woult
add insurance at a lower cost and p taste
!, rate; he puts l1is savings In the banl
against old age. tho he gets q lower rat
of interest than the growth OF his tree
Il would Yield; he labors TO improve tn