of 



sand miles downstream. By bringing forests to 

 our aid, we may almost domesticate and con- 

 trol winds and waters! 



One of the most important resources is soil, 

 the cream of the earth, the plant-food of the 

 world. Scientists estimate that it takes nature 

 ten thousand years to create a foot of soil. This 

 heritage of ages, though so valuable and so 

 slowly created, may speedily be washed away 

 and lost. Forests help to anchor it and to hold 

 it in productive places. Every tree stands upon 

 an inverted basket of roots and rootlets. Rains 

 may come and rains may go, but these roots 

 hold the soil in place. The soil of forest-covered 

 hillsides is reinforced and anchored with a web- 

 work of the roots and rootlets of the forest. 

 Assisting in the soil-anchorage is the accumu- 

 lation of twigs and leaves, the litter rugs on the 

 forest floor. These cover the soil, and protect it 

 from both wind and water erosion. The roots 

 and rugs not only hold soil, but add to the soil 

 matter by catching and holding the trash, silt, 

 dust, and sediment that is blown or washed into 

 the forest. The forest also creates new soil, 



