On the importance of economizing and preserving our forests [microform]

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Section IV., 1882

[ 38 ]

III. — On tlie Importance of Economizing and Preserving our Forests,

By WiuJAM Saunoebs.

(Head May 25, 1882.)

At first sight, forests appear to the settlet iu a wooded countiy as obstacles to advan-
cing civilization, to be removed as rapidly as possible, and with unwearied zeal and
jjersistence in the nse of axe and fire the encumbrances are soon disposed of The stock
of fertility accumulated by the long continued i^nnnal fall and decay of the leaves is
utilized in the growth of cereals for man's sustenance, and in his zeal to get rid of the
trees, the owner seldom reflects on the inestimable value of woods in providing shelter
against storms, in equalizing temperature and moisture, and iu purifying the atmosphere.

Perhaps the most obvious modification of climate by forests is in arresting wind,
subduing its power in a greater degree than a solid barrier would, the limbs entangling
and killing its force in a marked degree. Even a single tree has a wake of calm stretching
away to a considerable distance, while a forest of deciduous trees absolutely arrests the
wind near the earth. A windy climate is generally an unhealthy one, as indicated by the
marked increase in mortality during and following the long continued prevalence of cold
winds.

Forests also equalize violent alternations of heat and cold ; the temperature is lower in
summer and higher in winter iu the forest than in the adjacent open ground. During the
heated term the umbrageous foliage protects the soil from the direct action of the sun's
rays, while every leaf by the evaporation of moisture from its surface acts ao a refrigerator
on the air immediately adjacent. In winter the heat which has been absorbed by the
water with which the soil is charged also by the earth is slowly given up, and, added to
the minute quantity of heat given forth by the living trees themselves, forms a reservoir
of warmer air, which is slowly displaced in severe weather and mitigates its severity ;
indeed the forest is a treasurer of the elements of climate, hoarding excesses and distribu-
ting in times of need.

Foresiis also exercise a governing and conservative influence on the humidity of the
atmosphere. The roots of trees act in a measure like conduits, admitting the rain water
into the su> -soil, while over this lies a stratum of humus, highly absorbent, and on the
surface a layer of decaying trees, the whole acting something like an enormous sponge
holding a vast quantity of surface water reserved for the heated season. Then, when the
need for it is most urgent, it is elevated to the upper surface and distributed to the parched
air by evaporation from the leaves, as already stated. -.

Forests also influence rainfall ; trees indeed are most singularly complicated con-
densers, their limbs, boughs, and leaves being a sort of natural machinery, wonderfully
adapted to the purpose of grasping upon the atmosphere and causing those dynamic
changes which induce precipitation of moisture.

Tre>;s purify the soil. The pollution constantly going on about our dwellings charges

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36

WILLIAM SAUNDKlfS ON THE IMl'OKTANCJK OF

the soil with organic matter, whiih the roots of trees search out, follow and feed mwn,
and alter it as comjiletely as if it were bvxrnt, and elevate it into tlie upper air in forms of
beauty.

Data for the investigation of the influence of forests on the all-important question of
rainfall, mixst be looked for in the eastern part of the world, whert; deforestation has been
greatest, and where large districts have thus been entirely altered in their character and
capabilities.

AVhen the Jews lirst settled in Palestine it was a proverbial y fertile country, a land
flowing with milk and honey, and favored with a pleasant climate Then the mountain
ranges of the country were densely covered with forests, in which the stately cedar of
Lebanon held a prominent place. The gTadually increasing population of Palestine
enjoyed comfort and abundance during many centuries, liut a gradual devastation of the
forests, which was finally completed by their enemies, produced a wonderful change.
The hills of Galilee, once rich pasturing grounds for large herds of cattle, are now sterile ;
the Jordan has become an insignificant stream, and several beautiful smaller rivers men-
tioned in I he Bible, appear now as stony runs, which carry off the surplus water resulting
from the melting snow in spring, but are completely dry during the greater part of the
year. Somi' few valleys enriched by the soil which has been washed down from the hills,
have retained a portion of their fertility, but the country as a whole is arid and desolate
and not capable of sustaining one-fourth of the population it contained in the time of
Solomon.

Under the reign of the Moorish Caliphs, the Iberian peninsula resembled a vast
garden, yielding grain and fruit in the greatest abundance. Then the sierras and
mountain slopes were covered with a luxuriant growth of timber, which was afterwards
wantonly destroyed under the rule of the Christian kings, while large herds of half wild
goats and sheep pri'vented the spontaneous growth of trees which would otherwise have
taken place on the neglected lands. Now nearly all the plateau lauds of Spain are desert-
like and unfit for agriculture, because of the scarcity of rain.

Portions of Sicily, Greece, Italy, France, and other European countries have suffered in
like manner, and the plains and hillsides, once luxuriant with A'erdure, yield now but
scanty crops, or are converted into arid wastes. In France the government has adopted
a regular system of forest planting, which is proving a great success, and which in ("ourse
of time will doubtless n'nu'dy the evils complained of, repay the expenses incurred and
yield a revenue to the public^ treasury.

Germany, which had also sullere*! from deforestation, was one of the first European
nations to set to work energetically and systematically to remedy it by extensive planting.
The work was begun nearly two hund.\'d years ago, and during this period the country
has been biovight from the condition of a wood famine to a state in which there is now
grown annually more wood than the country needs to use. It is estimated that with the
systematic planting now regularly carried out, Germany can cut from ten to fifteen billions
of feet' of lumber from its thirty-five millions of acres of wood lands yearly, for all time to
come, a product from which the State is said to receive a net revenue of nearly forty millions
of dollars per annum. Besides all this, while in many other countries the climate and
soil have deteriorated to an alarming extent, Germany has gained in fertility, and tracts of

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ECONOMl/.m(} AND I'JJKSKlfVlNG ()UJ{ FOJIKSTS.

87

formerly worthless laud have boeu brought under succesHlul culture, and the elimate, if it
has not improved, as some claim, at least has not deteriorated.

Other countries are following the example of Germany, and systematic forest-planting
is now being faithfully carried out, not only in Europe, but in India and Australia.

In our own country, although we have uot yet felt any ill ettects from the partial
removal of our woods, yet the timber supply is being so rapidly exhausted, that the
question of replanting must before long engage the serious attention of our people. At
the present rate of consumption and destruction, it is estimated that the twentieth century
will see the greater portion of the American continent well nigh denuded of its forests.
The disastrous consequences of a dearth of timber in Canada would be dilHcult to describe ;
it would interfere! sadly with the further settlement of our country and paralyse our
industries.

Stricter regulations are needed to prevent the unnecessary destruction of timber by
the lumberer, and by the forest hres which often arise from wanton carelessness, and
entail immense losses. Some measures looking to the replanting of denuded districts
should also be introduced.

In the comparatiA-ely treeless portions of our great Northwest Territory, a marked
improvement in the climate might be eft'ected by judicious and extensive tree planting ;
and in all parts of our Dominion endeavors should be made to excite a general interest in
this subject, and to create a healthy sentiment in favor of preserving, with greater care,
the remnants of the noble forest with which our coimtry was once clothed.