324 Forestry Quarterly. 



hand favorable influence of forest planting in the provinces of 

 Grosetto (Tuscany), Avellino (Campania), Sondrio (Lombardy). 



The Russian Lokhtine cites a long" series of general experience 

 from various parts of Europe and especially from Russia, which 

 would indicate the bad effect of deforestation. Among others, he 

 cites the statements of Schreiner and Copeland regarding condi- 

 tions in Monroe County, Wisconsin, where in 70 years the forest 

 area was reduced from 83% to 6%, and the effect has been 

 noticeable in 1887 in a striking manner by low river beds and 

 abandonment of mills. 



The results of a special commission to investigate water condi- 

 tions on the Dnieper and its tributaries show the deforested basins 

 as retaining from 3 to 20 per cent, less water than the forested 

 basins, in proportion to the deforestation. The gradual decrease 

 of average water level in the Soura has been observed from 1888 

 to 1900 in proportion to the progressive deforestation. 



Similarly on the upper Bielaja at Oufa, where deforestation has 

 progressed from 1887- 1900, the average water level has decreased, 

 while on the lower Bielaja at Grouzdecka, where the forest cover 

 has remained undisturbed, the water level has practically remained 

 even. Similar experience is cited from the Volga basin. 



These citations are followed by a general discussion of the 

 problem. It starts with a reference to the undoubted effect of 

 forest cover on erosion, and rehearses the observations and ex- 

 periments of Ebermayer, Calas, Henry and others. 



The most striking experience cited is that from the department 

 of Aude in 1893, when the main river after a downpour rose 15 

 feet. In two branches draining almost totally deforested basins 

 great damage was clone, in another branch coming through a well 

 forested basin with the same storm, no perceptible rise and no 

 damage was noted. A long list of such observations is recited 

 with references to the sources of information which make the 

 article useful. 



La capaciti- rctentionelle de la foret. Revue des eaux et forets. January, 

 1909. pp. 1 -18. 33-34. April, 1909, pp. 229-234. 



