The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-07-18

important; for although many of us
may never have realized it, the forest
is powerful agency in the mainten-
ance of our soil, our water supply and |
proper constitu.ed atmosphere. In
helping to control these conditions,
therefore, the forests exert q powerful
influence both en- the physical and f.
nancial condition Of mans life.
In the first place, let US notice the
influence Of the forests on our water
supply. Whep the hills. and the
mountain slopes Of its birthplace are
clothed with forests, the little brook
can truly soy:
81 chatter, chatter as I aow
To join the brimming river;
For men may como and men may 20,
Bus / go on forever"
But let the trees be removed from
the hills. and the brook will cease its
merry song. It may. indeed, chatter
for time, but not in ceas;eless rip
pie.
But let us note the season for all
this: The soil Of Q forest region is
interaeoted and inteztwined by num-
barless roots, which zande. It frm,
but very porous. In addition to th;e
the surface soil 10 rendered firm by
fallen leaves aud By tho growth OF
vegetation. When, therefore, tho
rain falls IL does not drain rapidly of,
but so.A5 along the roots into tho
ground. It ainko deeper into the
earth, gradually seeps into tho reser-
voiss Of the opEinso, the birthplace Of
che rivers, end thus even during au
extended drought 1naintsing the pro-
per aow Of water in tho beds OF the
streams.
On tho other hand, tho soil OF an
area stripped Of its forests has moth.
ing to make il porous, and hence
becomes 90 compact and solid that
very little water can enter it. When,
thefeiore, the rain falls on such an
sres, noe being able to soak into the
soil, it drains rapidly down the hill
sides and immediately Ands its way
into the channels Of the streams, in
stead Of into the reservoirs of the
springs. Then even little brooks are
converted into rushing torrents, and
destructive foods are often the re-
suits. The foods carry all kinds Of
trash and sediment into the iower
courses OF the rivers and there deposit
it. This causes the channels OF tho
river to become filled, and often dis
assTo1s results e15us: Navigation 10
obstzucsed. The river spreads out
e=es extended areao.: injecting the re-
gion with disease aud destroying
both life and property, When q
drought occurs in such o barren re-
gion, the wells fail, tho branches 20
dry, and even in the :ivurs there is q
.e::ee=ss!!e din!ee=:::>::- &c :he water
supply. .
In CLOSE connection with this is the
influence of the forests in preserving
our soil. Although the soil Of a for
est area is lighter and more porous, il
ia protected. as har been said against
the denudipg action Of water by q
covering Of leaves and vegetation, and
by a network Of roots. Over exposed
areas, however, there is 40 such pro.
teetion, and the; soil, which through
the disintegration OF she rocks and
the decay Of vegetable matter, has re-
quired unto ID ages for its formation,
10 rapidly swepeSf away. Thus, ia, a
short while fertile and fruitful AREA
may be robbed Of it's soil aud convert.
ed into ono Of rock bssrenress. ("
! Especially is it important to pre-.
serve Forests on hills and mountain
slopes, because such slopes are tie
regions Of greatest rainfall, because
the rivers are born in the mountains.
and because when the forests are ss-
moMd, the water gushes ip sorrents
down the mountain .ic.s, sweeping
away the soil and eauaing disastrous
foods. az r,.~.G... IS,
Although it is not fully realised,
the forests also exort powerful in.
duenos on our climate. s..:., -,
:, When tho sunshine falls on an area
covered by trees, the heat is moro |
thoroughly absorbed and psnetratss |
the soil more easily; than when it falls |
sp I'M arid and uaoovsfed surface, |!
This 10 True bsoause the forest area, |
BY issstreas and shrubbsry. pressntssh |
greater extent Of surface; beeause 81 |
che perous aad better absorbing chafs
SSAs q q 49,