orchards are always protected from wind storms by belts of trees 

 such as eucalypts or some other rapid growing species, to keep the 

 oranges and grape-fruits from being blown ofit' the trees when they 

 are nearing maturity, and so lessening their marketable value. 



The influence of a windbreak is felt for one rod for every foot 

 of heighth, and the yield of crops so protected may be increased 

 frequently as much as 50% by this protection. 



Protection from drifting sands is another valuable influence of 

 forest belts. Probably the best example of this is to be found in 

 the region of Gascony, in France, where some 1,625,000 acres of 

 land has been reclaimed by the planting of maritime pine. This 

 land, after deforestation, became a barren waste, with drifting sand 

 dunes that covered up all vestiges of civilization. This had been 

 allowed to go so far that land in the region was at one time sold for 

 25 francs for any distance that the human voice would carry ! It is 

 today a flourishing summer resort region, and includes the famous 

 city of Arcachon. 



On Cape Cod, Mass., extensive experiments have been carried on 

 for many years in holding in check the drifting sands. 



As a protection against drifting snow, trees are not only much 

 more pleasing and sightly, but also much more economical than the 

 ugly board barriers known as "drift-fences." The railroads are 

 now using and planting trees for this purpose, to hold snow in 

 place where there is danger of drifting or of slides. 



All of these biological factors have a direct bearing on the fertility 

 and productiveness of much of the vast grazing area in our Western 

 States. The most valuable pasturage is in the mountain pastures, 

 situated in the midst of high forests, where both soil and water are 

 conserved and protection afi^orded to the hundreds of thousands of 

 sheep and cattle that form so large and so important a part of our 

 national food supply. 

 Aesthetic. 



Finally, let us consider the relation of the forest, and its influence 

 on the health, happiness, and ethics of a people. 



Congestion of population in and near our large cities leads to want 

 when work is scarce, and to discontent and unrest even when it is 

 abundant. Housing conditions, due to want of room, are bad. There 

 is no family garden from which food may be obtained ; no woods to 

 resort to for health-giving recreation and pleasure. 



There is room for a vast population in our forest regions, where 

 there is good air, good water, room for a garden, pasture, and poul- 

 try. It is often nearer the source of raw material for manufacture, 

 and with power flowing in sight of the home. The removal of many 

 of the factory sites from in or near cities to nearer the power-pro- 

 ducing streams is not only possible, but decidedly reasonable and 

 profitable. It would be advantageous both to the manufacturer and 



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