SECTION IV. 1882. [ 35 ] 
ITL—On the Importance of Economizing and Preserving our Forests. 
By WILLIAM SAUNDERS. 
(Read May 25, 1882.) 
At first sight, forests appear to the settler in a wooded country as obstacles to advan- 
cing civilization, to be removed as rapidly as possible, and with unwearied zeal and 
persistence in the use of axe and fire the encumbrances are soon disposed of. The stock 
of fertility accumulated by the long continued annual fall and decay of the leaves is 
utilized in the growth of cereals for man’s sustenance, and in his zeal to get rid of the 
trees, the owner seldom reflects on the inestimable value of woods in providing shelter 
against storms, in equalizing temperature and moisture, and in purifying the atmosphere. 
Perhaps the most obvious modification of climate by forests is in arresting wind, 
subduing its power in a greater degree than a solid barrier would, the limbs entangling 
and killing its force in a marked degree. Even a single tree has a wake of calm stretching 
away to a considerable distance, while a forest of decidüous trees absolutely arrests the 
wind near the earth. A windy climate is generally an unhealthy one, as indicated by the 
marked increase in mortality during and following the long continued prevalence of cold 
winds. 
Forests also equalize violent alternations of heat and cold ; the temperature is lower in 
summer and higher in winter in the forest than in the adjacent open ground. During the 
heated term the umbrageous foliage protects the soil from the direct action of the sun’s 
rays, while every leaf by the evaporation of moisture from its surface acts as a refrigerator 
on the air immediately adjacent. In winter the heat which has been absorbed by the 
water with which the soil is charged also by the earth is slowly given up, and, added to 
the minute quantity of heat given forth by the living trees themselves, forms a reservoir 
of warmer air, which is slowly displaced in severe weather and mitigates its severity ; 
indeed the forest is a treasurer of the elements of climate, hoarding excesses and distribu- 
ting in times of need. 
Forests also exercise a governing and conservative influence on the humidity of the 
atmosphere. The roots of trees act in a measure like conduits, admitting the rain water 
into the sub-soil, while over this lies a stratum of humus, highly absorbent, and on the 
surface a layer of decaying trees, the whole acting something like an enormous sponge 
holding a vast quantity of surface water reserved for the heated season. Then, when the 
need for it is most urgent, it is elevated to the upper surface and distributed to the parched 
air by evaporation from the leaves, as already stated. 
Forests also influence rainfall; trees indeed are most singularly complicated con- 
densers, their limbs, boughs, and leaves being a sort of natural machinery, wonderfully 
adapted to the purpose of grasping upon the atmosphere and causing those dynamic 
changes which induce precipitation of moisture. 
Trees purify the soil. The pollution constantly going on about our dwellings charges 
