386 



CONIFERS 



woods, not only during a midwinter thaw, but also in the 

 spring, and the soft, porous character of soil causes it to 

 absorb much water. This results in springs and rivers 

 being fed uniformly during the summer. Floods and 

 freshets can often be traced largely to denuded hills along 

 the streams, because hills without forests have soil poorly 



Figure 420. — Young Plantation 16 Years after Planting. 



fitted to prevent the water from running down faster 

 than it can be carried away. Floods and freshets each 

 year do millions of dollars' worth of damage in the de- 

 struction of bridges, buildings, and other property. 



Another loss occurs in the washing away of the most 

 valuable form of soil from the hills, when the water flows 

 off rapidly. Not only is the soil that is left useless for 



