Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-04-26

pied by the first Chinese of whom history
tells, were centuries ago transformed from for
est into agricultural land. The mountain plat
eaus OF central China have also, within a few
hundred years, been utterly devastated of tree
growth, and no attempt made at either natural
or artificial reforestation. AS a result. the
water PUSHES off the naked slopes in veritable
floods, Outlying away the mountain sides. caus-
ing rivers to run muddy with yellow soil, and
carrying enormous masses of fertile earth to
the sea. Beware of the mountain water"
read signs in many canyons of China. posted
as a warning to travellers against the sudden
rise of torrents during storms.
This lack of forest cover has made possible
many of the factors that have brought disaster
to millions of people of China this year. The
tree-covered mountains formerly absorbed a
considerable portion of the annual rainfall and
let it escape by slow, regular seepage during the
dry season. Now that there are no trees. shrubs
or even grass to restrain the rainfall, the
streams that formerly were narrow and deep.
and supplied an abundance of clear water the
year round, have become broad and shallow
with slender currents of muddy water, which
when it rains, swell to roaring torrents that bring
disaster and destruction everywhere.
Water courses have also changed; rivers be-
come uncomfortable, and the water level of the
country lowered perceptibly. In consequence,
the unfortunate people see their crops wither
and die for lack of water when 1t is most need
ed. In many parts of China, it is said, these
factors combined with uncertain moisture con-
ditions make seven years out Of every ten more
or less famine years.
Here in America the problem up unfit a
comparatively few years ago has been to get
rid Of the trees. The early settlers had to
make their clearings in the forest before they
could plant. But the conditions are rapidly
changing. Our forests have been pushed farth-
er back until they are to be found only in the
remote corners of the country. Forest fires
have played havoc with millions of acres. Men
who have barely reachedamiddle age today can
readily recall how easy it was to go out into
the woods for a picnic or to gather nuts or
hunt wild flowers. Today we ride for miles
along the country road and only occasionally
do we pass through a woods, in this section
of the state, at least. In fact, real timber land,
that Is, land covered with a heavy growth of
full sized trees is hard to find in almost any
part of New Jersey.
Reforestation is the one solution for this
problem. When the lumberman so ruthlessly
cuts away the trees, new trees ought to be set
out and given a chance to grow. Only by so
doing can we hope to escape the fate of China.
Already floods are becoming more and more
frequent in different parts of this country. Mil
lions of dollars worth of drainage has been
done due directly to the disappearance of our
forests.
1t is gratifying to know that not only is the
federal government becoming aroused to the
seriousness of the situation. but individual states
are creating forest reserves of their own. They
must do it for their own preservation.
And the present is none too soon to begin. 1t
takes many years to grow a tree, although one
may be cut down in a few hours. For this
reason no tree. no matter how useless it may
appear to be, should be destroyed hastily.
Coming down to a municipality, Perth Amboy
particularly has reason to study the tree prob
lem. There is nothing that beauties a city
or makes it more attractive than handsome
shade trees. Perth Amboy once had an album
dance of them, but they have been rapidly
dying off due to age and neglect, and little
has been done toward replacing them. Here
is a very important matter for the consideration
of the city. state and nation. No people can
to prosper without trees.
Dancing masters have decided to watch the
"toddle' develop in this country. Develop
what?
In other words, they shall not Jap the Isle
of zap!
Disappointed Office seekers are sure the first
half of the new Presidents name is pronounced
the way it is spelled.
The "squirtless'' grapefruit gives promise of
a non-sprinkling watermelon.