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General Farm Uses.—Then there are other innumerable general uses 
about the farm for poles, boards and lumber. After all these needs are 
satisfied there should remain some timber (logs and railroad ties) for 
market. 
Climatic Influences.—The influence of woodlots on the climate makes 
their presence desirable. A great deal has been written about forests as 
a factor in rainfall, but it has never been satisfactorily proved that they 
increase the total amount. It is known, however, that about twenty-eight 
per cent. less of the annual rainfall is evaporated within the woods than 
outside of them, and that the mean annual temperature of forest soil is 
about twenty-one degrees lower than that of cultivated fields. In summer 
this cool soil tempers the air above, and by starting currents from the ad- 
joining fields lowers their temperature. Besides, woodlots, if situated 
in favorable positions, check strong winds, in this way protecting farm 
buildings and preventing fruit trees and crops from being blown down. 
Shelter.—A woodlot is invaluable for the shelter it affords to live 
stock in both summer and winter. Less food is required to maintain the 
body warmth of animals when they are well protected from the cold win- 
ter winds. Therefore the use of grain in fattening stock is much econo- 
mized. The cool shade offered by a small portion fenced off from the best 
part of the woodlot prevents fattening animals from losing flesh during 
the hot weather. 
Aesthetic.—But these uses are not all. Every one knows that a good 
strip of timber greatly increases the value of a farm, for by this means 
not only the beauty of individual farms but also that of the entire com- 
munity is increased as much, if not more, than by more expensive improve- 
ments. For no other reason than this each farmer should strive to main- 
tain a well managed woodlot. 
Water Supply.—fForests at the head waters of streams regulate their 
flow. As has been said before, the amount of evaporation within the forest 
is much less than that outside because the loose litter offers little capil- 
larity to the water content of the soil and also permits of a more rapid 
absorption of heavy rainfall. The water is then given out to the springs 
and streams in an almost constant supply. 
Brosion.—The problem of erosion is a very perplexing one, especially 
in a rolling country. The unlimited removal of forests has left but little 
resistance to the flowing away of rainfall, for everywhere the soil is more 
