The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-12-17
ITEMS OF INTEREST TO The FARMER
80 AND STOCK GROWER ==


was constituted in these forests. and
which this and preceding generations
have parted with literally for a song.
AS between forests and rainfall.
scientists long ago established certain
definite relationships. In heavily
forested regions it has been shown
that rainfall in the proper seasons
comes with regularity unknown else
where. Drought periods, in the sense
that they come to the great plains,
and to cutover and cultivated regions,
are practically unknown
The writer does not know the pre-
else reason for this, but it is accepted
as an established fact. Perhaps Il
layman's explanation might attribute
it to the attraction which exists be-
tween water held in the upper soils
by tree roots and water in the air.
Again. it has been thoroughly es-
tablished that water in lakes and
water courses remains at more near
ly uniform level in heavily forested
areas than in those less covered with
tree growth. This is because, follow
ing rainfall, the water reaches lakes
and streams more slowly. Thus that
lost to them through evaporation is
slowly replaced by the gradual flow
of water held in the soil by tree roots.
Cutting over large areas in mountain
Gus regions has proven productive of
floods and droughts previously I'M
known to such localities.
In considering the relation between
! the deforestation of lands in the state
of Florida and the cultivation of citrus
fruits upon the peninsula. the chief
point must be the effect upon climatic
conditions exerted by the great pine
| forests, particularly with regard TO
heat and cold, and secondly upon the
score of water sup~-iy for growing
trees.
As between water and it's modify
ing effect upon the atmosphere, the
regulatory functions exercised are en-
tirely clear to almost anyone Prac-
tically every citrus grower in Florida
fully appreciates the value of water
protection against the occasional cold
spells of winter. 1t is common saying
among old timers that. "Therell be no
cold weather right now because there's
too much water in the woods, and the
ground is too wet" Or, contrawise,
ut is so dry we can look out for dam |
aging cold
in the upper soils by rootgrowths,
keep the ground wet" in weather
when the ground elsewhere will be
as dry as bone. In this respect the |
great pine forests of Florida formerly |
exerted most important influence up
on the winter climate without doubt. |
maintaining the water in lakes and
streams during the dry season at more
uniform levels than prevail today. The
levels of many Florida lakes are ma
teriallly lower today than they were
some years ago. This is confirmed by
definite survey and records in some
instances, and by the memory of old
time residents in many others. Just
what amount of modifying influence
upon cold spells has thus been lost
to the peninsula by this gradual low
ering of the water levels of lakes and
streams, particularly during the dry
season, is difficult, if not impossible
in the minds of any thinking man.
however. that it is considerable.
While the value of the great pine
forests in respect to their influence
upon saltwater must be acknowledged
an important factor, it is as wind
breaks that their value has been, and
is, of the highest Importance to citrus
growers. The gradual transformation
which has occurred in Florida wind
currents and windmovements in the
past quarter century has been 50 very
slowly brought about that only old
timers are able to estimate it with
anything like correct appreciation.
However, consultation with very con-
siderable number of men who have
been engaged in the business Of grow
ing citrus fruits in Florida over a
period of a great many years, shows
a concensus of opinion that with the
decrease in area of forests wind velo-
cities generally have increased. Many
small tornadoes and whirls recorded
at inland places within the last few
years ar declared to have been practi-
cally unknown many years ago. Or
course, winds along the coasts always
have menaced at various times. but
old settlers at inland points are almost