EDITORIAL 617 



wood are only beginning to show themselves, for the lumbering of the past 

 will cut a small figure compared with that of the next twenty-five years, and 

 the final consequences must, we hold, be judged with this in mind and by 

 comparison with the ultimate effect of similar causes on other watersheds the 

 world over. 



Certain fundamental facts are regarded by the best expert opinion in New 

 England as having a direct bearing upon the cai5e, quite as significant as 

 anything that can be determined from local examination of soil and topog- 

 raphy. The first of these is the general agreement, both in Europe and 

 America, that forests protect the run-off of streams and that on steep mountain 

 slopes this protection is greater than elsewhere. Furthermore, it may be 

 accepted as an axiom that the destructive agencies of nature, frost, moisture 

 and wind, combined with gravitation, are at work in the White Mountains 

 as in all other mountains of the world. It is further well known to local 

 students of the question that the danger of denudation in the White Moun- 

 tains is greater than in many other mountain regions because of the extra- 

 ordinary growth of the paper and pulp industries that consume its principal 

 species,' spi-uce and fir. These grow in nearly pure stands on the high slopes. 

 Added to this is the fact that owing to the exhaustion of the hardwood supply 

 in some other parts of the country, the cutting of hardwood on an extensive 

 scale has begun in the White Mountains. Hitherto many of the slopes have 

 been protected by the hardwoods. 



Fire, following cutting, has a serious effect upon the thin soil of the 

 White Mountain country. It has rendered large areas in the White Mountains 

 permanently barren and has set back for years the productivity of others. 



It is common observation among woodsmen in the White Mountains that 

 the spring run-off is earlier and more rapid from cut-over and burned over 

 areas than from those not cut over. Many small streams once running free 

 the year around have become permanently dry or mere courses for spring 

 freshets, this being noticeable in areas that have been cut-over. 



In view of these facts it seems inconceivable that the consequences which 

 have followed such conditions in other mountain countries should not follow 

 them in the White ^Mountains. And if this is true, the protection which the 

 White Mountain forests afford to the rivers of New England is plain, and 

 their preservation would certainly come within the scope of the Weeks law. 

 If the experience of other countries, France, Spain, China and Syria, for 

 example, does not furnish an analogv' by which we may profit, it seems to us 

 that it is incumbent upon those who deny that analogy to show the reason 

 why. Thus far no proof has been offered — only denials. 



It seems necessary to again emjjhasize the fact that whatever protection 

 can be afforded to these New England forests must be afforded soon. Other- 

 wise the combination of natural and human forces to which we have referred 

 will place these hills beyond successful maintenance except as stone quarries. 

 From the beginning of the agitation for the Southern Appalachian forests in 

 1899, the first support of which came from New England, New England has 

 loyally supported the interests of the whole Appalachian region in this long 

 stniggle. To the people of Ihis section the great human interests involved 

 far transcend questions of bare scientific fact or abstract legal considerations. 

 The passage of the Weeks law was hailed as the accomplishment of a great 

 result. Its failure will be regarded with a disappointment which can hardly 

 be described. The country has expressed its will that the mountain forests 

 of the east should be preserved and maintained in perpetuity. That will must 

 not be nullified. 



