304 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



away of forests. It is time that sensible men had dropped this non- 

 sense." 



Mr. C. V. Riley is reported as having expressed similar opinions at 

 the last meeting of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, and as having 

 made the surprising statement that there is at present more timber in the 

 State of Illinois than there was twenty years ago. 



It is not proposed to enter upon an elaborate argument upon these 

 subjects — the limits of this report will not permit — and they may attract 

 more interest in discussion than in a written essay. A few brief sugges- 

 tions only will be made. 



That the climate of many parts of the earth has been unfavorably 

 affected by the total destruction of forests, is an opinion held by men of 

 greater scientific attainments and more extended observation than Mr. 

 Meehan. That he should designate the foundations of this opinion as 

 being of the flimsiest character, savors somewhat of arrogance ; particu- 

 larly, as some of his assertions do not appear to rest upon a very substan- 

 tial basis. But to the point : Meteorological tables, showing the tem- 

 perature and the depth of rain-fall, furnish the only recorded means of 

 deciding in regard to a change of climate. Let us suppose a comparison 

 of the records of temperature and moisture of two periods of ten years 

 each. Let us also suppose these periods separated by an interval of fift}" 

 years, during which time a tract of country is settled and cleared of for- 

 ests. The average temperature in the two periods may be nearly the 

 same ; there may be little difference in the rain-fall ; and yet in the latter 

 period, the atmospheric conditions, the variations of heat and cold, of 

 dryness and moisture, may be so changed by the destruction of the 

 woods, as to affect injuriously the productions of the soil, and lessen the 

 comfort of animal life. Every one knows that a man can endure a much 

 greater degree of cold in the still atmoshpere of a forest, than when 

 exposed to wind on the open prairie. Why may not the same be true of 

 vegetable life ? It is not true that the grain and grass with which the 

 farmer covers the land, prevent the evaporation of moisture as effectually 

 as a forest ; or even as the growth on unpastured prairies. Much of every 

 farm is closely pastured through the growing season ; the removal of small 

 grain and hay leaves the land naked from midsummer onward ; the rains 

 run off more quickly than from woodland, and evaporation is more rapid; 

 so that if the rain-fall be not diminished, there is a diminution of its iDen- 

 eficial effects. Peaches were formerly plentifully produced in New 

 England ; they can no longer be grown there, and the removal of the 

 forests is believed to be the cause. Mr. Meehan seems inclined to doubt 

 that the drying up or diminution of springs and streams is a consequence 

 of the loss of the forests. What other cause can be assigned ? The writer 

 has reason to know that the atmosphere and soil of the State of Illinois 

 have become drier during the forty-three years which he has inhabited it, 

 in consequence of the destruction of the native grasses and other jilants 

 which clothed the prairies, and the cultivation of the earth. Many facts 

 might be cited in evidence. 



