38 FORESTRY INVESTIGATIONS V. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



There is great danger that, if not provided against, the fearful changes may happen to our 

 largest rivers which have taken place on the Po and other large rivers of Italy, France, and 

 Spain, caused by the destruction of the forests from which came their tributaries. These forests 

 had retained the water from the snows and rains of winter and spring, and supplied it gradually 

 during the summer. Since their destruction the rain falling in the rainy season comes down 

 almost at once, bringing with it earth and stones, deluging the banks of the larger streams, but 

 leaving a very insufficient provision for evaporation and against the consequent drought 

 of summer. 



Thus, when the forests about the sources of our great rivers shall be cut away, the water from 

 the melting snows and early rains will be liable to come down in vast floods, overflowing the 

 banks and carrying ruin and destruction in their course, while the affluent streams in summer 

 will diminish or disappear, to the great injury of the country through which they flow. 



We deem it highly important that the true condition and wants of the country in this regard, 

 and the injuries that may result from the destruction of the forests and the exhaustion of our 

 supplies of timber, should be known in time to provide a remedy before the evils are severely felt. 

 There are facts of the greatest importance in relation to the past and present destruction of forests, 

 the pressing want of timber trees in States without natural forests, and the changes that have 

 taken place, or are taking place, in consequence of the destruction of the forests, that should be 

 carefully collected and be widely and familiarly known. 



A knowledge of these facts would be everywhere of great value. They should be gathered, 

 arranged, and so widely published as to reach the intelligent inhabitants of all the States. There 

 is not a State or Territory without a direct interest in the subject. We should know the experi- 

 ence of other countries and be able to apply whatever may be found therein suited to our soil and 

 climate and consistent with the plan of our government and the theory of our laws. 



Individual or associated eflbrt, unless organized and directed by authority, could not be 

 expected to conduct these inquiries or make known the results with that fullness which the 

 investigation would require. We therefore recommend them as worthy of the attention of Con- 

 gress, as the immediate guardian of the Territories and the proper source of power in whatever 

 concerns the interest of the whole country. 



We would therefore respectfully request the passage of a law creating a commission of 

 forestry, to be appointed by the President and Senate, and that it should be required to ascertain, 

 from the most effectual and reliable means within its power, and to report to Congress upon the 

 following subjects: 



First. Upon the amount and distribution of woodlands in the United States, the rate of con- 

 sumption and waste, and the measures that should be adopted to provide against the future 

 wants of the country in the preservation and planting of timber. With this there should be an 

 inquiry concerning the importation and exportation of lumber and other forest property. 



Second. The influence of forests upon the climate, and especially as to what extent their 

 presence or absence tends to affect the temperature, rainfall, and other atmospheric conditions 

 upon which agricultural success depends. 



Third. A full statement of the methods practiced in Europe in relation to the planting and 

 management of forests, and an account of the special schools of forestry that have been estab- 

 lished in foreign countries. 



llespectfully submitted. FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, 



GEO. B. EMERSON, 

 On Behalf of the Committee of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 



WASHINGTON, D. 0., February 6', 1874. 



