414 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



abundance from mists and fogs. In some of the smaller West 

 India islands, the only means the inhabitants have of procuring' 

 water, is from tall trees which being constantly enveloped in fogs 

 distil by dripping, enough to supply their wants. 



But the limits of a paper like this forbid a more minute and ex- 

 tended examination of this part of the subject at the present time. 

 In conclusion then, it ma}'- perhaps be desirable to suggest a 

 remedy for the present immense and unnecessary destruction of 

 forests. Some extent of destruction is admitted to be necessary 

 for purposes of cultivation of the soil, and some for building and 

 other purposes. And further, there is accidental loss by the ex- 

 tensive conflagrations which ravage large sections of the country. 

 Now if there be added to these losses the felling of large tracts for 

 mere commercial purposes, and through a rabid greed for money- 

 making, it will readily be seen that the day is not far distant when 

 the inhabited regions near the sea coast, and far fnto. the interior 

 will be as bare of trees and as waste a country as at this day are 

 the shores of the Mediterranean. The remedy for the present 

 evils and the preventive of so undesirable a result, must be found 

 in a judicious use of the necessity of cutting down ; and in what 

 is still better, the planting of new forests. Many instances might 

 be cited to show the effects of replanting, and of the natural re- 

 growing of trees. We shall name only two. The city of New 

 Valencia, in South Amei'ica, was formerly situated about a mile 

 and a half from a beautiful lake which was densely surrounded 

 with trees. In course of time the trees were entirely swept away ; 

 and after another lapse of time, the city was found to be four 

 miles and a half from this lake. During still another lapse, the 

 trees grew up again, and in about twenty -two years the waters of 

 the lake, which had receded from the city three miles, returned 

 again to their former limits. Will it be possible to find a stronger 

 corroboration of our theory ? Again, in Egypt of late years the 

 palm-tree has been extensively planted and cultivated ; and the 

 remarkable result is the falling of frequent rains where none were 

 formerly known to fall. Many more cases might be mentioned, 

 but these are sufficient to prove the efficacy of the suggested re- 

 planting. The method by which this shall be brought about, and 

 the inquiry whether any legislation will be necessary, must be the 

 subject of future consideration. 



What, now, are the conclusions to which our arguments lead 

 us ? 



