TREES AFFECT SPRINGS. 255 



been kept in constant operation nntil within about twenty or 

 thirty years, when the supply of water began to fail. The 

 pond owes its existence to a stream which has its source in 

 the hills which stretch some miles to the south. Within the 

 time mentioned, these hills, which were clothed with a dense 

 forest, have been almost entirely stripped of trees ; and to 

 the wonder and loss of the mill-owners, the water in the pond 

 has failed, except in the season of freshets, and what was 

 never heard of before, the stream itself has been entirely dry. 

 Within the last ten years a new growth of wood has sprung 

 up on most of the land formerl}'^ occupied by the old forest ; 

 and now the water runs through the year, notwithstanding 

 the great droughts of the last few years, going back from 

 1856." 



Lapham mentions that "such has been the changes in the 

 flow of the Milwaukee River, even while the area from which 

 it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the pro- 

 prietors of most of the mills and factories have found it 

 necessary to resort to the use of steam, at a largely increased 

 yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry 

 seasons of the year. The floods of spring are increased until 

 they are sufficient to carry away bridges and dams before 

 deemed secure against their ravages. What has happened to 

 the Milwaukee River has happened to all other Avater-courses 

 in the State from whose banks the forests have been removed, 

 and many farmers who selected land upon which there was a 

 living brook of clear, pure water, now find the brooks dried 

 up during a considerable portion of the year." 



Many such examples might be instanced to prove that 

 cutting ofi" the forests has a direct influence in diminishing 

 the flow of springs, but I will confine myself to one other. 



Marschand, as quoted by Mr. Marsh, .cites the following : 

 "The Wolf Spring, in the commune of Soubey (France), 

 furnishes a remarkable example of the influence of woods 

 upon fountains. A few years ago this spring did not exist. 

 At the place where it now rises a small thread of water was 

 observed after very long rains, but the stream disappeared 

 with the rain. The spot is in the middle of a very steep 

 pasture, inclining to the south. Eighty years ago the owner 

 of the land, perceiving that young firs were shooting up in 



