Year: 1874

we find that the climate and general condi- tion of the country are changed. And the result will be the same here; the climate will become extreme and unhealthy, there will be nothing to protect the earth against the bleak winds of winter or the scorching heat of summer and barrenness must en- Sue

 The benefit of shelter to cultivated fields and especially to fruit trees is very great, and when we remember that we are unable to raise some of the more tender fruits in New England to-day, that were grown without difficulty as far north as the Ken nebec in the time of the first settlers, we can see one of the effects of the destruction of our forests.

 The consequent influence upon the moist ure of a country is great. Decayed organ ic matter in the soil, filled with roots and sheltered from the sun, is able to absorb and retain large quantities of water; and thus the greater part of the rain and melt ed snow of spring is retained. By this means the numerous springs found in for ests are fed, most of which disappear when the land is clear these springs in turn feed the brooks, and of course it must follow that if the former fail the latter will suffer in consequence. Thus we can account for the drying up, at the present time, of streams which formerly furnished motive power for mills of considerable size through the entire year. The snow too, which cov- CTS the ground in spring, melts rapidly un- less protected from the sun now if this protection is removed and the absorbing power of the earth taken away, all the melted snow together with the water falling as rain, rushes at once into the valleys of the larger streams, often causing much damage to property. The inundations of the Connecticut river afford good illustra- tions of the fact.

 Nor IS this all the water as it pours down the sloping sides of hills and noun tains carries along with it large amount of organic matter, thus constantly taking away the soil from uplands and depositing it in the beds of lakes and navigable rivers, and forming dangerous shoals in harbors. If the demolition of our forests continue, and nothing is done to replace them, the green hills which surround us on every hand to-day will in time be stripped of their verdure and reduced to bare ridges of ster- i.e rocks and the consequent flooding of the corresponding valleys will render them uninhabitable.

 The swamps of Virginia and the Caroli- mas were healthy so long as the forests re- mained, which has not been true since they were felled; and it is even believed by some that the planting of a few rows of sunfowers between the Washington Obser- vatory and the marshy bank of the Poto- mac has prevented the severe levers to which the inmates of that establishment were formerly subject. The effect of trees upon scenery is too obvious to call for remark. If the hills are robbed of this source of beauty, they look bleak and des :. olate; but when clothed with rich forest growth they add greatly to the interest of landscape.

 Thus we can see that reasons for the restoration of the forests are numerous ana important; in what ways can this be ac- complished? In many countries the gov ernment regulates the cutting and planting of trees; but it is not in accordance with the principle of ours to do this; private enterprise must attend to the work. Still the government should remunerate those who plant to sufficient extent to benefit the public, by exempting them from tax, or in some similar way.

 The planting of trees may seem to offer no profit.to the individual owner of land j; but this is not true. There are hundreds of acres in New England which yield the owner absolutely nothing in their present condition. Now if this land be covered with growing wood, which can easily be done by sowing the seed, it's value will rap- | idly increase. Instances are recorded where land has been raised in value in less than twenty years, from eighteen to one hun dred and fifty dollars per acre, and by this means alone. In order to accomplish this desired restoration of our forests the first thing to be done is to stop burning over and sowing land with grain when it's timber is cut. Then by using for this purpose all the old fields not necessary for cultivation or pasturage we shall greatly increase the amount of wooded land. In doing this we shall extend the surface that retains most and lessen the surface exposed to the sun We shall add to the reservoirs which hold the necessary water to refresh the bare earth in summer, and decrease the amount that needs refreshing.

 And may the time soon come when we shall see the bare hillsides which surround us covered with forests, as they were ir ages past, and enjoy the healthy and pro- ductive climate New England once pos sessed. B.s.T.

 E8 Apropos of Commodore Vanderbilt'E penchant for wearing white cravats, the

 Independent tells this edifying little story

 The commodore was coming down town ir