38 THE TREE PLANTERS OF AMERICA 



PUBLIC OPINION 



down-pouring rains and of the melting snows, holding their flow 

 in moderate check, to more steadily disseminate their life-giving 

 strength through the soil transforming it into the abundance of 

 nature. 



Trees are the natural irrigators, as well as the fertilizers of 

 our soil. Not only do they serve to store and seasonably distribute 

 our annual rain and snow fall, but by the maintenance of great 

 permanent moist areas, they continue and increase it. 



Note the increase of rainfall following planting of trees on 

 our great prairies even in our former deserts. Then note the re- 

 curring drouths which have repeatedly withered naturally fertile 

 regions, since our great forests have been denuded. Likewise, 

 the devastating spring floods precious waters wasted and the 

 far south-reaching frosts and blizzards, which almost yearly come 

 upon us since the life-saving barriers of our tree-clad slopes have 

 been cut away. 



Just as the human being does not begin to appreciate the vital 

 value of his health until serious inroads have been made upon it, 

 so a nation does not awaken to a realization of the vital need of 

 its trees until they have largely disappeared. 



Fortunately, the trees can be replaced if a proper system of 

 planting be inaugurated and steadfastly prosecuted. As a funda- 

 mental, far-reaching and effective move in this direction, your plan 

 of reforestation through the co-operation of the American farmer 

 boys is to be commended, and your efforts in this direction should 

 have the active support of every intelligent citizen. 



Anyone who has lived or traveled abroad must have been 

 impressed with the extensive reforestation work that is going 

 on in the various countries of Europe, and especially with the 

 vital importance that is attached to its progress. 



Forestation under control of the Prussian authorities and be- 

 longing to the public, nets the Government over $20,000,000 annu- 

 ally. Prussia is only twice the size of Missouri, yet it supports 

 40,000,000 people. Its forestation is principally on mountain ridges, 

 swamp land and sandy marshes, which are given over to the culti- 

 vation of pine, beech and oak. This revenue would pay for two 

 magnificent Dreadnoughts a year, and in addition support Ger- 

 many's diplomatic and consular service. Such possibilities, if 

 Germany's forestation scheme were applied to America, would 

 justify the organization of the 'Tree Planters of America" a thou- 

 sand times over. 



But, further : In the province of Hanover, a part of Prussia, 

 there are 7,000 miles of country roads bordered with fruit trees- 

 apples, pears, cherries and plums over 450,000 planted and culti- 



