FOREST FIRES 



Near Assouan, on the First Cataract of the Nile, one dis- 

 covers broken granite or syenite needles, which had been 

 intended by the ancient Egyptians for monuments. Where 

 the broken pillar lies, there are rows of wedge-shaped holes 

 cut in the rock. 



They used to drive in wedges of dry wood and then wet 

 them with water. The expansion of the wood split the rock, 

 though this is hard granite or syenite. Very often the process 

 failed because the stone cracked. The same method is said 

 to be still used in some quarries. 



The destruction of the forest is really necessary. Most of 

 the corn land and rich pasture of the world has been at one 

 time forest. It could scarcely be such fertile soil if it had 

 not been for the many years during which leaf-mould fell on 

 it, and the roots broke up and penetrated the subsoil 

 below. Canada, Russia, and the United States are now pass- 

 ing through the same experience as that of Great Britain 

 in the time of the Romans, Saxons, and Danes. 



But there is terrible waste by fire. 



When the trees become dry and withered in the height of 

 summer in either India or the United States, some careless 

 tramp may throw aside a lighted match. If a fire once 

 starts, it spreads with enormous rapidity; great clouds of 

 smoke roll over the surrounding country, and every village 

 sounds the alarm. Everybody rushes to help and try to 

 stop the conflagration, or if too late hurriedly saves what- 

 ever he can get of his possessions. His log hut and all the 

 accumulations of years of saving may be turned into a 

 heap of ashes in a very few minutes. 



But the crackling of the leaves and the flaming twigs and 

 scorching bark make such a volume of fire that nothing 

 which man can do is of any avail. 



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