SOME FOREST SECRETS 



quite impossible — human life is far too short compared 

 with that of a tree. 



The pioneers in forestry have had, from lack of all 

 sources of information, to learn by costly experiment 

 and failure, but now the planting owners of today can 

 easily avoid the unfortunate errors made by the pio- 

 neers. The forestry service is for the benefit of all. 



The economic importance of forests and the desira- 

 bility of putting down a certain area of land in trees, 

 may be considered under two headings, the effects of 

 woodland areas upon local climatic conditions and upon 

 the locality and the fijiancial return. 



The existence of areas of woodlands has an appreci- 

 able effect upon the temperature of the atmosphere 

 within each area. The average temperature throughout 

 the year is less within woodlands than in the open and 

 extremes of heat and cold are lessened. Within wood- 

 land areas the night temperature is practically always 

 warmer, and never falls so low as the temperature in 

 the open. During the day time the average atmospheric 

 temperature within woodlands is always less than the 

 average temperature in the open. 



The reason for these differences can be ascribed to the 

 fact that the canopy of the trees prevents the soil from 

 being rapidly warmed by the sun's rays; and also when 

 once the soil has become warmed, the canopy of the 

 trees prevents any rapid radiation of heat from the soil. 

 The influence of the forest will be due mainly to its 



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