152 



FOREST TREES. 



-Other Coniferre, which are being cut down by wholesale in our woods, 

 and converted into lumber. 



So rapid has been the consumption of our Pines, that there are 

 townships which have been so stripped of these trees, that in a few more 

 years a full grown Pine will not be seen. As the Pine disappears a 

 change takes place in the atmosphere and in the soil. It is true a new 

 race of vegetables takes possession of the ground, but something has 

 been lost. 



The ultimate destruction of our native vegetable productions, 

 including the valuable timber of our forests, which long series of years 

 could not replace, is not the only change that arises from the clearing 

 of a large portion of our woods. There is yet another and important 

 result which will in course of time, be felt as an evil— I refer to the 

 drying up of the inland streams and smaller tributary waters. It needs 

 but little observation and is patent to the older settlers of the Dominion, 

 that the creeks and rivulets which formerly flowed through their 

 lands, are disappearing with the clearing away of the woods. The water- 

 courses are grown up with Sedges and coarse aquatic herbage, and the 

 thirsty cattle now wander far afield in search of water, unless duly 

 supplied by the farmer at the homestead, or driven, at the cost of much 

 time, to springs and water-holes, which are kept open with difficulty 

 during seasons of drought. 



In many cases the sources that give rise to the streams might have 

 been preserved fresh, and free from drying up, by allowing a growth of 

 trees and bushes to remain about the head waters of the springs. The 

 existence of springs is generally indicated by small Sedges, Water-ferns, 

 Wild Persecarias, Mimulus, Brook-limes, Arums and Marsh Marigolds, 

 with sundry other water-loving plants " that have their haunts by cool 

 springs and bubbling founts, or by the rushy margin of the stream." 

 The wild animals and birds need no guide to direct them to these 

 secret reservoirs. With no compass to steer by, they are led by an 

 inward power which we call instinct, to spots where their needs will be 

 supplied. 



I remember meeting with an old volume in my f;atlier's library, and 

 in the quaint language of old Anthony Horneck were the words, " Doth 

 God take care for oxen ? " The answer was brief " Yea, God doth take 

 care ! " That was all but it was sufficient, because borne out by His 

 words who could not err, knowing the mind of His Father : " Consider 

 the ravens," saith Christ, "for they neither sow nor reap, which neither 

 have storehouse nor barn, and God feedeth them." 



It seems now to be an established fact that the climate of many 

 countries has l^een materially affected by the total destruction of ^its 



