The Washington herald., 1921-06-05
Deforestation Lessons.

ARGELY beause il has been the practice ruth
lessly to destroy forests, certain sections of
China being swept by famine and
plague. foresters Of the department of agriculture
declared last week.
"DenudaOn wherever practced. leaves naked
SOIL foods and erosion follow, and when the soil is
gone must also go-and the process does not
take long, said statement issued not only
commentary upon China's afction. but a
ing against deforestation in country.
Forests not only play important part in the
distribution Of mankind the earth's surface but
also deeply affect his spiritual physical and economic
life, the statement continues. "A country that reck-
lessy wastes its natural faces ultimate
poverty and decadcnce History is full Of such
ampcs.
"In the provinces of Honan, Shenshi, and Chilli,
China. over an area some 100000 square miles in
extent, several million people starving. The i'm
mediate causes OF the famine were disastrous floods
followed by long periods OF drought, which resulted
in the failure OF three successive crops.
THE great plains of eastern China occupied by
the first Chinese of whom history tells were
turies ago transformed from forest into agricultural
land The mountain plateaus OF central China have
also, within few hundred years, been utterly devas-
taed of tree growth and attempt made at either
natural artificial reforestation. AS result. the
water rushcs off the naked slopes in veritable floods,
outlying away the mountain sides, causing rivers to
muddy with yellow soil. and carrying enormous
of fertile earth to the Beware Of the
mountain water read signs in many canyons of
China. posted a warning to travellers against the
Suddcr rise OF torrents during storms.
((THIS lack Of forest has made possible
many of the factors that have brought
disaster millions of people Of China
this year. The tree-covered mountains formerly
absorbed a considerable portion of the annual rain
fall and let escape by slow, regular seepage during
the dry season Now that there trees, shrubs,
grass to restrain the rainfall the streams
that formerly were 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
where.
Water courses have also changed; rivers become
uncomfortable, and the water level Of the country
lowered perceptiby. In consequence, the unfortu-
nate people their crops wither and die for lack
of water when it is most needed. In many parts of
China it is said, these factors, combined with
certain moisture conditions, make years out OF
every ten less famine years
THE Hwang Ho or Yellow river, which drains
large part of the famine district once records show.
flowed through rich, fertile valley, its tributary
hills well wooded. Today it is broad moving
quicksand, with a small amount Of water most OF the
year. but when the floods come the whole face of
the landscape may be changed. In 1886 this river,
which is known China's Sorrow, flooded some
10000 square miles of the most densely populated
lands wiped out thousands Of villages and towns,
and drowned 100000 people.
Some idea of the Eapdity of the runof in the
mountains may also be obtained from the records of
the Yanse river, which has been known to rise So
feet above mean water level in week and then
fall 68 feet in less than three weeks
Human folly and short-sightedness have thus
made country fertile enough to support over 5o,-
100000 people into place where man must ever be